Abstract:
Examinations have their unique importance in every domain of human life, especially
in education. Without their presence and use, the worth of any person in particular field cannot
be determined. There had been various types of examinations used, modified and changed in
different eras in the field of education. Now a days, the concept of SOLO taxonomy has
emerged and adopted by Pakistani Government at primary level.
The study was entitled as “A study to evaluate the examination system at grade-V in
Punjab based on SOLO Taxonomy”. The major objectives included: (1) to investigate views
of Teachers / Head teachers / AEOs / Dy. DEOs / DEOs / EDOs about the newly introduced
examination system based on SOLO Taxonomy. (2) To analyze students’ performance on an
achievement test based on SOLO taxonomy. (3) To identify the weaknesses and strengths of
the new examination system. (4) To suggest suitable measures for improvement of the new
examination system.
All the primary schools of Punjab, their administrators, heads, teachers and students
were included in the population of the study. The study was confined to the nine districts of
Punjab province; namely, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Lahore, Kasur, Dera
Ghazi Khan, Multan, Muzaffar Garh. From each district, 12 schools were selected randomly,
eight from rural areas and four from urban areas. The sample included students of 5 th grade in
these schools who appeared in this examination conducted in April 2006, teachers concerned,
head teachers concerned and respective AEOs (EE), DDOs (EE), DOs (EE), DOs (SE), EDOs
(Edu). The total sample size was thus 930 (120 administrators, 360 teachers and 450 students).
Two questionnaires based on five-point Likert scale were used for the purpose of data
collection from heads of secondary schools, and from teachers of secondary schools. For the
pre- testing of the questionnaires, five administrators and ten primary school teachers were
taken from district Attock. The investigator himself administered the questionnaires among
the respondents. Accordingly, questionnaires were modified in the light of their suggestions.
Then the final editions of questionnaires were developed. The researcher visited all the
targeted areas of Punjab personally. Data were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted category-
wise. To analyze the data, chi-square as a statistical test was used.
A self developed
achievement test was also administered to students of 5 th class based on SOLO Taxonomy to
examine whether students did well on the new examination system. Students’ scores were
summarized through measures of central tendency and variability.
ixMajor conclusions of the study were that majority of the respondents from
administrative staff as well as teachers was of the view that they were satisfied with new
examination system, that SOLO Taxonomy would increase authenticity of class V
examination and increase student’s learning, the innovation would increase burden on teachers
while teaching in class, it would increase creative thinking among students, it can be used
easily, and would increase the students’ reading
as well as writing skills. Majority of
respondents from administrative staff was held that they arranged training for teachers before
introducing SOLO taxonomy, they monitored that teachers used it in class and they checked
papers which teachers conducted in class and teacher’s role had become more important in
examination based upon SOLO taxonomy. Most of the teachers stated that proper training was
provided to them before introducing new examination system. SOLO Taxonomy was properly
used by teachers in class, teachers covered whole syllabus step by step and they gave different
activities to students in order to enable them go through examination. Most of the respondents
from administration as well as teaching staff were of the view that papers based on this
taxonomy were valid, reliable, objective and transparent. Marking system of these papers was
easy as well as standardized, and it discouraged cramming and cheating. Majority of
respondents from teachers as well as administrators was of the view that the new system of
examination would lessen the chances of rote memorization and cramming among students. It
was however revealed that papers based on this taxonomy were not easily available in market.
Test performance of students showed that teachers were using this taxonomy in class; the
concept was clear in the minds of students. In the test, 10 percent students obtained A+ grade,
15 percent students got A grade, 30 percent got B grade and 28 percent got C grade whereas
17 percent obtained D grade that approximates the normal distribution curve