The Rajya Shiksha Kendra (RSK) at Bhopal was the hub of activity even during Dussera, Diwali and Id when normally government work comes to a standstill in Madhya Pradesh. Preparation for the launch of Learning Guarantee Programme in 3,000 schools in the 10 blocks of Datia and Vidisha districts had clearly moved up the priority ladder at RSK. Work designing the model test papers for the LGP had begun in right earnest. Though there were many official transfers and shift of duties, it did not dampen the spirit of LGP.

Field Testing of model test papers

A team of 12 academicians from RSK and three Azim Premji Foundation members, split in two groups, did the field testing of the first draft of competency based test papers in Datia and Vidisha. About 500 children were administered verbal (individual as well as group) and written tests on three subjects viz. Hindi, Mathematics and Environmental Sciences.

Pending a detailed analysis of the findings from these tests, the required changes were immediately incorporated in the model test papers which were printed in a book form for distribution among the schools.

The challenge was to develop uniform assessment tools which can be used for all five grades. Important competencies were first listed down on the basis of the curriculum; different ways in which these competencies could be tested were investigated. Resources like TIMMS, ASSET and AAA question papers, Homi Bhabha Science Centre and Eklavya were referred to and innovative questions were introduced.

Capacity Building for LGP evaluation

The LGP has a component of capacity building for school headmasters, teachers, CRCs (Jan Shikshaks) and BRCs to prepare for the competency based evaluation and bring about a change in classroom processes. Prof. Jalaluddin has agreed to be the key resource person for this capacity building. In this connection a workshop for orienting the key personnel from Datia, Vidisha and RSK involved in LGP was organized on Dec 2 2004 with Prof. A.K. Jalaluddin.

Collaboration with Arushi

Arushi Society has been involved to help us during the communication exercise of LGP in Datia and Vidisha districts. Ten programme executives and 40 volunteers from the 10 blocks of the two districts would be involved in this exercise.

Orientation Workshops at Datia and Vidisha

On December 15 and 17, 2004 orientation workshops were organized for all the Jan Shikshaks at Datia and Vidisha. Members from Rajya Shiksha Kendra and Azim Premji Foundation spoke to the people at the cluster, block and district levels about the LGP. Communication material viz. mailer, poster and model question papers were distributed cluster-wise to each participant.

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