A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM AT GRADE-V IN THE PUNJAB, BASED ON SOLO TAXONOMY

Abstract

Examinations have their unique importance in every domain of human life, especially in education. Without their presence and use, the worth of any person in particular field cannot be determined. There had been various types of examinations used, modified and changed in different eras in the field of education. Now a days, the concept of SOLO taxonomy has emerged and adopted by Pakistani Government at primary level. The study was entitled as “A study to evaluate the examination system at grade-V in Punjab based on SOLO Taxonomy”. The major objectives included: (1) to investigate views of Teachers / Head teachers / AEOs / Dy. DEOs / DEOs / EDOs about the newly introduced examination system based on SOLO Taxonomy. (2) To analyze students’ performance on an achievement test based on SOLO taxonomy. (3) To identify the weaknesses and strengths of the new examination system. (4) To suggest suitable measures for improvement of the new examination system. All the primary schools of Punjab, their administrators, heads, teachers and students were included in the population of the study. The study was confined to the nine districts of Punjab province; namely, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Lahore, Kasur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Muzaffar Garh. From each district, 12 schools were selected randomly, eight from rural areas and four from urban areas. The sample included students of 5 th grade in these schools who appeared in this examination conducted in April 2006, teachers concerned, head teachers concerned and respective AEOs (EE), DDOs (EE), DOs (EE), DOs (SE), EDOs (Edu). The total sample size was thus 930 (120 administrators, 360 teachers and 450 students). Two questionnaires based on five-point Likert scale were used for the purpose of data collection from heads of secondary schools, and from teachers of secondary schools. For the pre- testing of the questionnaires, five administrators and ten primary school teachers were taken from district Attock. The investigator himself administered the questionnaires among the respondents. Accordingly, questionnaires were modified in the light of their suggestions. Then the final editions of questionnaires were developed. The researcher visited all the targeted areas of Punjab personally. Data were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted category- wise. To analyze the data, chi-square as a statistical test was used. A self developed achievement test was also administered to students of 5 th class based on SOLO Taxonomy to examine whether students did well on the new examination system. Students’ scores were summarized through measures of central tendency and variability. ixMajor conclusions of the study were that majority of the respondents from administrative staff as well as teachers was of the view that they were satisfied with new examination system, that SOLO Taxonomy would increase authenticity of class V examination and increase student’s learning, the innovation would increase burden on teachers while teaching in class, it would increase creative thinking among students, it can be used easily, and would increase the students’ reading as well as writing skills. Majority of respondents from administrative staff was held that they arranged training for teachers before introducing SOLO taxonomy, they monitored that teachers used it in class and they checked papers which teachers conducted in class and teacher’s role had become more important in examination based upon SOLO taxonomy. Most of the teachers stated that proper training was provided to them before introducing new examination system. SOLO Taxonomy was properly used by teachers in class, teachers covered whole syllabus step by step and they gave different activities to students in order to enable them go through examination. Most of the respondents from administration as well as teaching staff were of the view that papers based on this taxonomy were valid, reliable, objective and transparent. Marking system of these papers was easy as well as standardized, and it discouraged cramming and cheating. Majority of respondents from teachers as well as administrators was of the view that the new system of examination would lessen the chances of rote memorization and cramming among students. It was however revealed that papers based on this taxonomy were not easily available in market. Test performance of students showed that teachers were using this taxonomy in class; the concept was clear in the minds of students. In the test, 10 percent students obtained A+ grade, 15 percent students got A grade, 30 percent got B grade and 28 percent got C grade whereas 17 percent obtained D grade that approximates the normal distribution curve