Arguments in favor of abolishing public examinations:
1. Reduced Exam-Based Stress: Abolishing public examinations can potentially alleviate the intense exam-based stress experienced by students. This can foster a healthier and more positive learning environment.
2. Continuous Assessment: Rather than relying solely on a single exam, assignments and coursework can provide continuous assessment of students' progress. This allows educators to identify areas where students may be struggling and intervene promptly.
3. Emphasis on Learning rather than Memorization: Coursework and assignments encourage a deeper understanding of subjects rather than rote memorization. They foster critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
4. Broader Skill Development: Assignments and coursework can incorporate various learning activities, such as group projects, presentations, research papers, and practical tasks, which allow students to develop a broader range of skills beyond what can be assessed in a time-bound exam.
5. More Inclusive Assessment: Different students have different strengths and weaknesses. Coursework and assignments provide opportunities to showcase diverse talents that might not be captured by exams, such as creativity, practical abilities, and written expression.
Arguments against abolishing public examinations:
1. Standardization: Public examinations provide a standardized measure of students' achievements and ensure that all students are assessed using consistent criteria. This standardization is crucial for comparability and fairness.
2. High-Stakes Decisions: Public examinations serve as high-stakes assessments that determine students' future opportunities, such as university admissions and scholarships. They provide a clear benchmark for selection processes.
3. Accountability: Public examinations can hold schools and educators accountable for the quality of education they provide. They create an incentive for continuous improvement and can detect potential areas of weakness in the education system.
4. Efficiency: Public examinations are generally efficient in assessing large numbers of students simultaneously. Assigning individual assignments and grading coursework can be time-consuming and challenging, especially for large class sizes.
5. External Validation: Public examinations offer external validation of students' achievements. This can enhance the credibility and marketability of their qualifications.
In summary, the decision of whether to abolish public examinations in favor of assignments and coursework requires careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages. It involves balancing the need to reduce exam-related stress and promote a holistic assessment approach while maintaining certain levels of standardization, comparability, and accountability. Ultimately, the choice should be based on what best serves the educational goals and overall well-being of the students.