Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 28: The High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) headed by technology expert Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms in public examinations has invited suggestions from stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers and civil society organisations, till September 13, an official said on Friday.
Besides Nilekani, the government has appointed former ISRO chairman S Somnath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena as members of the task force.
The HPTF has invited suggestions on a range of issues, including the conduct and security of public examinations, examination design and assessment methodology, governance and accountability, institutional arrangements, and prevention, detection and redressal of examination malpractices.
It is also seeking views on the use of technology, including secure computer-based testing, creation and augmentation of examination infrastructure, and development of an inclusive examination framework to improve access for students across social, economic, regional and linguistic groups.
The task force is examining measures to strengthen institutional systems and processes, ensure examination integrity and security, deploy appropriate technologies, augment examination infrastructure, promote accessibility and inclusion, and safeguard student well-being.
Its objective is to develop a robust, secure, transparent, equitable and future-ready public examination system.
The decision to bring Nilekani on board, given his role in the development of Aadhaar, came a day after a students’ agitation over alleged paper leaks ended following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last month.
NTA gets new senior officials
In a related development, the National Testing Agency (NTA) earlier this week appointed two new directors and a joint director as part of changes at the key examination agency.
According to official orders, Prasanna Venkatesh V, a 2012-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, and Ravi Kumar Singh, a 2012-batch Andhra Pradesh-cadre Indian Police Service officer, have been appointed directors in the NTA.
An office order said Venkatesh has been posted to the NTA under the Central Staffing Scheme for five years.
Ravi Kumar Singh, who was recommended for central deputation by the Union Home Ministry, has also been appointed director in the NTA, according to an official memorandum issued on Thursday.
Singh previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Economic Offences Wing, Delhi Police.
The Department of Personnel and Training said Amit Samdariya, a 2016-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, will serve as joint director at the deputy secretary level in the NTA for a period of four years.