JEDDAH, 28 August 2006 — Teachers, education supervisors, parents and students themselves are surprised and confused by the new student evaluation regulations approved by the Ministry of Education last week.
They welcomed some of the changes but are anxious about the implementation because they do not feel ready. The changes, effective this school year, affect mid-semester exams, college entry grade-point averages and the continuous evaluation system at all elementary grade levels.
A source at the Girls’ Education Administration, which received the new regulations only a few days ago and has not yet begun training its supervisors and teachers regarding implementation, said there was a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding. With two weeks to go before schools begin, they need more clarification.
“Reviewing and changing the curriculum and exam system is nothing new. According to the ministry, regulations should be reviewed every four years so as to keep up with changes and developments,” said Abdul Raheem Merghalani, director of exams department at the Jeddah Boys’ Education Administration.
He explained that the changes were based on field reports, research and experiences in other countries. “I think the changes introduced are more comprehensive. For example, for the first time they address exceptionally outstanding students by allowing them to skip a grade and they address the evaluation process of students with special needs,” he said.
The first main point which was cleared up for teachers is that midterm exams have not been canceled but the mid-semester ones have been. They will be replaced by a series of quizzes given throughout the semester for a total score of 10 points in each semester.
Merghalani explained that the midterm exams and the final exams would remain at 30 points each. The remaining 20 points out of 100 will be based on homework and class behavior.
The college entry grade-point averages, according to the new regulations, will now be the cumulative performance score for the last two years of secondary school rather than only the score for the last year.
Morooj Ibrahim, who is in her final year of secondary school, said: “I am unhappy that the new regulations are being implemented this year. Many of my friends didn’t study hard last year because everybody knew that it was the senior year that determines your grade point average and the college that accepts you.”
Her mother agreed and felt angry at the sudden change. “Maybe it’s a good concept but they should introduce it next year,” she said. They both liked the idea of replacing the mid-semester exams with quizzes because that means less pressure and gives the student an opportunity to improve his or her grades with every quiz.
They also thought that allowing seniors to take final exams after the scheduled date if the students were absent for legitimate reasons was a very humane and considerate thing.
Up to sixth grade in elementary school, continuous evaluation of students as opposed to semester exams will be carried out. This system was introduced two years ago for grades one to three. The ministry approved the program to be phased into fourth grade this year. Fifth grade students will begin the program next year and sixth graders the year after.
“The student passes when he or she masters some basic skills, knowledge and sciences in each subject,” said Merghalani. “They will be evaluated by different means including written, oral, homework, projects and observation. The student will be expected to master certain basic skills in each subject and meet the minimum standards of other skills. At the end of the school year, the points will be added for each of the evaluation means used. During that time, the teacher and parent will be able to spot any problem areas and work on them,” he explained.
“I prefer this system. I think it helps the student at an early age to learn better without pressure by spreading the points on different activities and evaluations,” said elementary school teacher Amina Farsi.
However, she points out that it increases the teachers’ work and though it puts more responsibility on them and the parents to be diligent in following up on the student’s progress, it is good.
“The role of the teacher is very important at this stage and also that of the parent. Unfortunately some parents neglect their children and don’t care about them except during exam time,” she said.
