In line with NEP 2020 and CBSE guidelines, many CBSE schools in urban areas have replaced traditional marks and grades with emojis and stars for assessing student performance, especially for kindergarten to Class II. This shift emphasizes evaluating children based on activities and practical tasks rather than conventional exams. The new approach aims to foster essential skills such as communication, active learning, and overall well-being.
The New Holistic Report Card
From this academic year, students in the earliest grades receive a holistic report card that reflects their performance through creative assessments. These evaluations are designed around projects, inquiry-based tasks, group activities, and quizzes, assessing cognitive, emotional, and social skills alongside physical coordination. Schools have incorporated self-assessment, peer feedback, and parental insights into this comprehensive review system.
Integrated Teaching and Assessments
To implement this shift, schools have conducted training for teachers and crafted integrated assessments. For instance, educators collaborate across subjects; a Math and an English teacher might co-create a lesson where students role-play a birthday party while solving math problems, enhancing both language and cognitive skills.
Sheeba Thomas, a Math teacher at Rajagiri Public School, noted, “Combining subjects in lessons ensures students develop multiple skills simultaneously.”
Priya C Pillai, principal of Chinmaya Mission School, Tripunithura, shared, “We use board games for teaching Math and EVS and emphasize healthy habits along with academic learning.”
Positive Reception and Cautionary Notes
The move has been met with enthusiasm, with Ibrahim Khan, president of the CBSE Management Association, highlighting the benefit of early intervention in building social skills and reducing academic stress. However, experts have cautioned about potential challenges. Amruth G Kumar, professor at the Central University of Kerala, advised that “while students connect better with emojis than numbers, keeping evaluation methods fresh is crucial to avoid monotony.”
Bobby Joseph, principal of Naipunya Public School, mentioned plans to extend the holistic report card to higher grades up to Grade IX, signaling a broader application of activity-based learning methods.
The adoption of emoji-based assessments under the NEP 2020 framework reflects a paradigm shift in early education, aiming to nurture balanced, stress-free learning experiences for young students.
