A Study of Need and Basis Of Partial Practical Examination of Compulsory Mathematics in the Secondary Level of Nepal

Abstract

According to the secondary level curriculum 2055 of our country, examination board has managed practical exam in English, Science, HPE as well as other optional second subjects. Department of Education in Tribhuvan University has designed practical examination in mathematics but it is sad to say that there is no practical test in the secondary level though it is related directly to other subjects. For the identification of need of practical exam in Mathematics, this research "A Study of Need and Basis of Practical Examination of Compulsory Mathematics in the Secondary Level" has done which prepares the foundation of partial practical exam in the secondary level. For this purpose, this research has done with the help of students and mathematics teachers in Kaski district after analyzing their responses and explanation about the problem. With the help of DEO Kaski, five government and five private schools altogether 10 schools were selected. Using probability sampling method, 10 teachers from each schools and five in one, altogether 50 students were selected as the population of study. To get the information about the topic, nine close multiple choice items and one open question for the students and fifteen closed multiple choice items and one open questions were given to each teacher. While preparing tools for this research, suggestions and helps were taken from research guide, classmates, and teachers who have been teaching mathematics for a long time. For the validity of tools small pilot study has done on the direction of the research guide and researcher concerning schools and persons (teachers) himself to collect data. While conducting this research on the basis of data collected, I have come to the conclusion that the practical examination is needed in compulsory mathematics in the secondary level to avoid the probable misguiding activities like cheating, copying, and to develop the skill of using it in real life and to solve the mathematical problems in a simple way. In the same way, it has got that project work, practical evaluation and oral interview (viva) can be the tools of practical examination of mathematics. For the weightage of practical examination, teachers and students have suggested 25% Full marks out of 100 mark and 40% for pass marks. They insist on to have mathematics lab and they further suggest to have practical examination in mathematics to give behavioural knowledge in mathematics. For the conduction of practical examination, controller of examination should establish separate examination board in regional and district level. Rule and regulation for conducting examination should be made from the central level and examination should be conducted in district and regional level. Practical examination should be conducted to improve the evaluation system of compulsory mathematics. It is also essential to draw the interest of students towards mathematics and make them skillful.