Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) scheme will ensure all round development of children

Heading India’s one of the best schools is not easy. Newsline caught up with Dr D R Saini, Principal of DPS R K Puram for a tête-à-tête and the conversation reeled from his days in the hostel to the CBSE’s Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) scheme.

Dr D R Saini is also the President of the Delhi Basketball Association. He is a member of the Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games 2010 and is Vice-Chairman of the Bowling Federation of India.

We have had principals speak on the CCE scheme very openly, both against and in favour of. What are your views on the topic?

Yesterday, Chairman of CBSE Vineet Joshi was at the school. And he spoke to the teachers and parents about the continuous and comprehensive evaluation. According to me, this is a very good system. It is meant for all round harmonious development of the child. It will promote child’s inherent talent. It will take into account both the scholastic and non-scholastic activities into account.

There have been voices from certain quarters that CCE will reduce the competition among children and the competitive edge that students always wanted will not be there.

Competition will be there. Every child will aspire to get an A grade. Advantage will go to the weaker. Now the student who secures 91 per cent will be on an equal footing with a student who secures 100 per cent marks. So, it’s a good thing.

With CCE in place for Class IX, do you find students taking more interest in other activities like drama clubs, eco clubs?

Yes, now there is an increased interest in other activities. CCE has reduced the focus on academics, though our school is still the best in academics, I find students taking keen interest in activities other than just academics. There will no longer be rote learning.

So, is the CCE is in favour of the children?

Completely. You see, there will be a four-page report card now onwards that will be given to the students at the end of class X. Earlier, a child would be under a lot of pressure on the day of exam, even parents and teachers would be under stress. CCE has made things easier for students.

The CCE will grade the life skills of a child. Do you think life skills can be taught?

That’s where teachers’ role is crucial. Teachers are involved with the students all year through. They are in a better position to judge. But the teachers have to be trained. The problem is that if teachers are not trained, it cannot work.

The ball is in the court of teachers. They have to play a fair role. Earlier they were not in the picture.

In Class IX, CCE is in force. So has the method of teaching changed?

No, the teaching methods are the same. But projects are being given regularly and the weekly tests are in place.

Now that the nursery admissions have begun, are there any changes in the points system this year?

No, we are following last years system. The forms will be available online from December 15, 2009 to January 15, 2010. This year we have chosen the online option as it saves a lot of parents’ time and our time as well.

Dr Saini, tell us something about yourself and your association with the DPS.

(Smiles). I joined the school as a grade IV teacher in 1978. I was promoted to grade III as a TGT. Then I was the deputy head and then head of the department. I became the Vice- Principal in 1995. And In August this year, I became the principal after the retirement of Dr Shyama Chona.

As is evident you have a very old and strong bond with the school. How do you intent to take the name of DPS forward?

Our students are doing very well in all the fields. Our ex-students have excelled everywhere. We have a plan to lay lawn bowling greens inside the school premises and the government has allocated Rs 20 crores to us. It will be used for bowling during the Commonwealth Games 2010. It will be finished by March 2010. We also want to have a footbridge from the school to the sports complex.

Tell us something about the school for the economically weaker section.

We started the school in the second shift for the EWS in 1999. Right now we have about 700 students in the second shift school. We were the first school to initiate this.

How do you spend your leisure time? Who are your favourite authors?

As I reside inside the school, work never stops for me. And whenever I get time I pick up any book to read. I like books by APJ Abdul Kalam.

Sir, it was wonderful talking to you.

Thank you.