Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government is considering to do away with annual examinations this year for primary school students enrolled in state-run institutions. In such a case, the grading method based on work sheet exercises may be used for evaluation of students up to Standard 4. This method was followed last academic year when the annual exams were not held owing to COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the government is considering holding the annual exams for Standards 5 to 9 during the last week of March. The decisions regarding these would be taken shortly.

During the meetings with various teachers’ associations earlier, it was decided that the annual exams for up to Standard 9 would be held in the beginning of April. However, the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exam begins on 30 March, while the higher secondary exams commence on 31 March. So, the government now wants to finish the exams for lower classes before the SSLC and higher secondary exams.

The State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) has been entrusted to decide the evaluation methods for classes up to Standard 9. The department heads would then discuss the SCERT’s recommendations before reaching a final decision.