Lesson learnt, schools to be chosen for PISA ’15

After India's dismal performance in PISA 2009, the government is planning to choose its participating schools carefully for PISA 2015. Highly-placed sources confirmed that mostly CBSE schools will be chosen in an attempt to score better marks.

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), introduced by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD), tests the learning levels of 15-year-olds. While the test is carried out every three years, India did not participate in PISA 2012.

India, which made its debut in PISA 2009 with schools from Tamil Nadu and Himachal, was ranked among the bottom countries. China, which also debuted in 2009, emerged as a star performer, having selected students from schools in Shanghai province which are considered among the best.

Taking their cue from China, HRD Ministry officials are now planning to focus on CBSE schools — CBSE is considered one of the better performing school boards in the country.

"CBSE-affiliated schools are not just about schools from cities like Delhi. These also include Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and municipal schools," said an official.

The government had earlier blamed "out of context" questions in the PISA format for India's poor show. The ministry even wrote to OECD on the issue, stressing the need to factor in India's socio-cultural milieu in the type of questions asked.

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