The Maharashtra Government has directed the state board schools to conduct three tests in an academic year so as to ensure that the quality of education rises further.
According to State education minister Vinod Tawde, one of these three tests would be similar to the common board exams.
He owed the lesser number of tests in the schools to the misinterpretation of the RTE act. The minister was quoted saying "We are planning to conduct three tests a year. Two would be internal tests and one basic test. This is to understand quality of the education imparted to the students. We will help schools to improve their performance by taking appropriate measures,"
He said added that "The RTE has not said anything about not conducting exams. It has asked not to fail wards and promote them in the next class. However, it is also mentioned that schools should give additional coaching to weak students. If there is misunderstanding about schools not conducting exams, we will send them instructions,"