Why Are Schools In Kochi Adopting Emoticon-Based Grading System?

Gone are the days when performance on theoretical papers would determine the final grade of a student. New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced a 'holistic report card' for students from Nursery to Class II. Evaluating a student beyond the traditional theory-based papers, this policy aims to evaluate a child based on activities. 

Kochi is now implementing this model. Many CBSE-based schools in Kerala's Kochi have now started evaluating students with emoticons like stars instead of the traditional grades and percentages. 

🚨 CBSE schools in Kochi are replacing traditional marks and grades with emojis and stars for students up to Class II. pic.twitter.com/mHVaOWFVc2

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Focusing on All Round Development

This new system has been emphasising motor and developmental skills like communication, peer-to-peer interaction, active learning, and all-round development of a child. Rather than the traditional test papers, this model focuses more on puzzles, quizzes, skill-development tasks, and group projects to test their physical, mental, and social coordination. 

With the integration of such a system, the pressure school-going children face from an early age to perform well academically might be significantly reduced. Parents often end up forcing studies on children, which sometimes ends up in repulsion. School-going young minds learn new concepts through rote learning instead of learning out of curiosity. This system may develop the inquisitive nature of a child. 

The children might end up developing the quality of self-analysing and working on their mistakes. A healthy competition hence ensues between the peers instead of the merit list system.

Rise Of Emoticons

Emoticons emerged in the 1980s as a creative way to express emotions and thoughts through colourful and playful images, addressing concerns that computers might hinder emotional expression. Today, they’ve even found their way onto school report cards, offering a fun and engaging way for young children to understand and communicate ideas as they begin their educational journey. 

Many schools are now adopting hands-on approaches to foster cognitive development, emphasising practical learning, resilience through failure, and personal growth. These innovative methods aim to shape future individuals who value experience, adaptability, and continuous self-improvement.