Grading and its effects on confidence of students

Why does rattafication (rote learning) in India take place in such large numbers among students? Because the motivation to studying is not to learn and discover new concepts, but rather to get high grades and make parents proud. But are our students actually learning anything by just bringing good grades in this manner? As a matter of fact, there are many students who cope in to the pressure of tests and grading system, without which they may have excelled in studies. This does not make sense, does it? How can one study without going through tests and grading? Are they not a pair made in heaven?

One of the major changes for bringing education reform to the system is by changing the approach the students take towards studies. A good education system is expected to consist of students that are having fun learning new things, which is just not happening in India thanks to the burden the teachers and parents put on children for bringing good grades on tests.

What if we were to reduce the number of the pointless tests and spend that amount of wasted time on assigning learning activities? After the completion of those learning activities, the teachers would go through each of the work and point out the strengths and weaknesses rather than grading it. Such learning activities will not only boost creativity and the will to learn from heart, but it will also give a huge confidence boost to them and they can keep on improving on the next such activities.

This is one way to ensure that students would avoid going absolutely blank and breaking down moments before tests due to pressure. Tests and exams have been an integral part of Indian education, but it is now time to change and bring a reform so that the next generation can have a better future than the one we are destined to seek.