September 30, 2013, 12:57 pm
Aimed at empowering the students with "self-knowledge" in terms of aptitude in combination with personality and interest, the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education has partnered with the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) for Student’s Global Aptitude Index (SGAI) for Class-10 students.
Though the concept was introduced in the state in 2012, the test was conducted by the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT).
It is for the first time that the board will hold the test in collaboration with the CBSE. The board has already conducted workshops to aware the students, teachers and parents about the test and its benefits while opting a subject after Class 10.
The test will be conducted in November. The board is also working on developing its own expertise so that the test could be conducted independently in future.
CBSE was the first school education board in the country to conduct an aptitude assessment in the form of SGAI at Pan India level in 2011.
Developed as a paper pencil test, SGAI is customised to suit the Indian context.
It is designed keeping in mind the fact that each individual is unique in terms of aptitude, interest and motivation.
SGAI aims at initiating a dialogue on decision-making of academic choices since subject choices of a student are very often dictated by parents’ expectations, peer pressure, social prestige and many other external factors.
Secretary, HP Board of School Education, Rakhil Kahlon said the test would help the students to know their aptitude and opt for a subject of his interest.
"Till now, the test is optional, but if it takes off well, we may consider making it mandatory, but only when schools and students themselves feel the importance of this exam," said Kahlon, adding that this is a new assignment for the board and all the necessary arrangements have been made.
"We have already conducted workshops for sensitisation of students and parents while training programmes for teachers are also being organised," said Kahlon. She added that the board had also deputed teachers at various schools for counselling of the students.
"We are also working on developing expertise so that we could conduct the test independently," she said, adding that the SGAI involved highly specialised process. She said till then the test would be conducted through CBSE. Schools may register students for SGAI on payment of `100 per student.
"The evaluation will be done by CBSE only and HP board will be providing assistance in earmarking the centres for exams," she said. The last date of registration for SGAI-fourth edition is September 30, 2013, but not later than October 15. There is no late fee for SGAI.
There are over 3,000 private and government-run high and secondary schools in Himachal Pradesh. Around 1.5 lakh appear in the Class-10 exam annually.
