Schools throughout West Bengal are contending with major disruptions following the state education department's abrupt decision to suspend the rollout of the much-anticipated 'Holistic Progress Report Card' for students in grades 1 to 8. This unforeseen announcement, issued in a notification on July 25, has left many schools in a state of disarray as they scramble to adjust.
The Holistic Report Card, introduced earlier this year, was designed to offer a thorough evaluation of students' progress, covering not just academic achievement but also personal development and life skills. This initiative, consistent with the guidelines of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), aimed to present a more comprehensive picture of student growth. However, the recent notification indicated that the scheme would now be implemented from the 2025-26 academic year, rather than the originally planned start date.
This sudden postponement has significantly disrupted several schools that had already started preparing for the new system. Numerous institutions had begun their second-term exams based on the Holistic Report Card's criteria and had even printed examination papers accordingly. The new evaluation approach was intended to replace traditional assessments with a more detailed three-phase method, tracking students' knowledge, social skills, and personal development. As a result, schools had incorporated these changes into their assessment procedures, making the last-minute alteration particularly challenging, as mentioned in a report by The Telegraph.
Educators and administrators are now in a difficult position as they hastily revert to traditional assessment methods mid-year. The state education department's decision to delay the Holistic Progress Report Card's implementation until the 2025-26 academic year underscores the necessity for more effective communication and planning in the introduction of educational reforms.