Exploring the challenges in implementing new assessment procedure in secondary school level of Bangladesh: a case study

Abstract

Assessment is a vital part in smooth progression of academic curriculum. It focuses the effectiveness of entire education system. In order to pursue effective learning, proper assessment and evaluation of the students is a matter of great concern. A systematic assessment process paves the path of successful learning. In our country, a new curriculum and assessment system has been introduced in January 2023. The first phase of the newly introduced curriculum started with the reformation of the textbooks, change in the entire learning procedure and the assessment system for the students of class VI and VII. This new assessment system is totally competency based assessment which includes knowledge, skills, values and the cognitive development of the learners through an overall reform of the existing assessment system moving away from the memorization-based examination system. This study explored the challenges and barriers that the teachers, students and parents are facing while implementing the new assessment procedure. Teachers and students of 12 High Schools from Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Bosila and Mirpur area have been interviewed and data were collected through qualitative research method by analyzing their experiences, opinions and viewpoints. Since this new curriculum has brought huge changes to the education system in Bangladesh, it has revolutionized the way the students are taught and evaluated in classroom teaching and learning. Moreover, the teachers are also new with this system and they need to be well trained in order to implement this new system in their classrooms. As the teachers’ opinions and viewpoints are important to analyze the entire assessment procedure, the researcher utilized a qualitative survey to explore the beliefs and opinions of the teachers about effective teaching techniques and the obstacles they faced while implementing the newly reformed assessment system. In order to collect genuine information, at first the participants of this study are made comfortable with the interviewer so that they can express themselves freely and authentically. The results of this study unveil the challenges of the new assessment system and show possible solutions to the problems. This study reveals that change is needed but it will be effective only if proper implementation is possible.