Grading

Distance learning courses are not easy. Because student is not required to attend classes, it is imperative that a sound assessment of their absorption of materials is obtained by tutor, and this is only obtained through assignments that are usually more in depth than usual grading process that is awarded through classroom taught courses. This takes it's form by enabling student into not just learning about a given subject, but also showing their understanding of each individual step in essay form which lends to their overall grade. This is particularly important to student, as material is not only information that needs to be taught in a given subject. The student needs to be able to question material, and use their own reasoning when it comes to analysing what they are asked to absorb which keeps them interested in course work and sees that they feel more involved with process of their learning.

In words of Mike Tomlinson, former chief inspector of schools,

'Too much time is spent preparing for exams which could be used for learning'.

The primary Gross Enrolment Rate is 72%, far short of target of 88% by end of Eighth Plan (by 1998-99). The difference between enrolment of boys (83%) and girls (61%) appears to be widening. The Net Enrolment Rate in 2001-02 was 42%.

It is estimated that households spend an average of Rs 1,443 per year on each primary school student. Urban households spend more than twice as much as rural households spend on each primary school student. Four times as much is spent on students attending private primary schools as on students attending government primary schools.

Among 10-18 year-olds who have ever attended primary school, 15% left before completing primary school. A higher proportion drops out in rural areas (18%) than in urban areas (11%). Girls are slightly more likely to leave school early than are boys in rural areas and vice versa in urban areas.

About 13% of children between 10-15 years of age who have attended school drop out before completing primary (class 5). However largest dropout rates are seen at end of primary with 28% dropping out before reaching end of class six, indicating that children are failing to make transition from primary to middle school.

Qualification: A Student of BSSE(I) of computer science department of karachi university. e-mail address: shm_sarfaraz@yahoo.com phone#6907790