In a major reform aimed at strengthening school education, the Odisha School and Mass Education Department has introduced a new academic assessment framework that mandates four evaluations every year for students from Classes III to VIII. The revised system, which comes into effect immediately, will be implemented across all government and government-aided schools in the state and is designed to ensure continuous learning assessment alongside term-end examinations.
Under the new framework, the academic session will be divided into two terms. The first term, spanning April to September, will include one Formative Assessment (FA1) and one Summative Assessment (SA1), while the second term, from October to March, will consist of Formative Assessment (FA2) and Summative Assessment (SA2).
As per the guidelines, each Formative Assessment will carry 25 marks per subject, while each Summative Assessment will be conducted for 50 marks per subject. In addition to these examinations, teachers will continuously assess students throughout the year, contributing another 25 marks for each subject based on classroom participation, learning progress, and overall performance.
The department has also introduced a separate evaluation model for students in the foundational stage, covering Shishu Vatika to Class II. No formal written examinations will be conducted for these classes. Instead, teachers will monitor students through regular classroom observations, activity-based learning, and competency development.
To systematically track the progress of students in Classes I and II, schools will maintain a specialised “Learning Ladder Register.” The register will document monthly learning milestones and help teachers identify areas where students require additional academic support.
The new policy categorises students into three academic stages under the Assessment Framework for the Foundational Stage (Shishu Vatika to Class VIII), 2026:
- Foundational Stage (Shishu Vatika to Class II): Assessment will be entirely observation-based with no written examinations.
- Preparatory Stage (Class III to Class V): Students will be evaluated through two Formative Assessments, two Summative Assessments, and continuous teacher evaluation.
- Middle Stage (Class VI to Class VIII): The same structured assessment pattern will continue with periodic examinations and continuous performance tracking.
For Class III students, the department has introduced a transitional monitoring mechanism. Teachers will use the Learning Ladder Register to record monthly progress in Mathematics and Language, enabling schools to provide timely remedial support and tailor teaching strategies according to individual learning needs.
Officials said the revised assessment system aims to move beyond a single examination-based evaluation by promoting regular monitoring of academic progress throughout the year. The combination of classroom observation, periodic assessments, and summative examinations is expected to provide a more comprehensive understanding of each student’s learning outcomes.
The School and Mass Education Department has directed all District Education Officers and education authorities to ensure the smooth implementation of the new framework from the current academic session. Schools have also been instructed to strictly adhere to the revised evaluation schedule and maintain proper assessment records.
