Kerala to launch open book exams in schools on trial basis: Edu min

In a bid to modernise the assessment methods for students, Kerala is considering a pilot run of open book examinations in schools. State Education Minister V Sivankutty announced that innovations like open book and online exams will be introduced on a trial basis.

These steps are part of the ongoing efforts to update the examination process and student assessment methods to align with contemporary needs.

"In addition to launching open book and online examinations on a trial basis, we will provide specialised training to teachers to strengthen the decentralised model of question paper preparation," the minister said.

He further emphasised that the requirement for a minimum mark in written exams is intended to ensure a bright future for students. "There is a misconception that this system is being introduced to fail students. On the contrary, it is meant to identify those who need extra support and guide them towards achieving excellence," the minister clarified.

Open book examinations, recommended as an effective way to reduce malpractices, will allow students a set timeframe to consult textbooks for answers. This approach is designed to help students break away from rote memorization and encourage more meaningful engagement with their textbooks.

The move also follows similar steps by the CBSE and several state boards to introduce open book exams for students in classes 9 to 12.