Kerala curriculum reforms: Open book exams under consideration, initially on trial basis

Thiruvananthapuram: Following the reforms made to the school curriculum, the Kerala government is considering implementation of open book exams. Guidelines for the same will be prepared by the SCERT and handed over to the education department soon.

Officials clarify that an open book exam does not mean merely copying down the information found in books. This type of exam requires critical and analytical thinking skills. The questions will not be posed directly. Since analytical skills need to be applied, it is suggested that a trial of this kind of exam to be conducted for the high school social studies paper. This will be implemented in select schools initially.

Special training will be provided to teachers as more care should be taken while preparing questions for such exams. The teaching-learning methodology should also be reformed. CBSE had earlier decided to conduct open book exams. It will fix the schedule for the same in June.

Kerala does not plan to rush into this. As part of the curriculum reforms, new textbooks will be introduced in classes one, three, five, seven and nine this academic year. By 2025, this will be implemented for other classes as well. The plan is to revise the higher secondary textbooks along with this. 

SCERT pointed out that the Kerala Curriculum Framework, 2007 had announced that it would follow the exam reforms prescribed by the CBSE. Conducting open book exams was one of the 17 proposals suggested to improve the public examination system.

As per CBSE instructions, this will come into force next academic year onwards on a trial basis. The open book exam will be conducted for English, Maths and Science subjects in classes 9 and 10 and for English, Maths and biology in classes 11 and 12.