The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, launched SAFAL (Structured Assessment For Analysing Learning). SAFAL is a competency based assessment for grades 3, 5 and 8 introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
The move is in consonance with the National Education Policy 2020 which recommends that s that for the benefit of students, parents, teachers, principals, and the entire schooling system in planning improvements to schools and teaching-learning processes, all students will take school examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 which would test achievement of basic learning outcomes, through assessment of core concepts along with relevant higher-order skills and application of knowledge in real-life situations, rather than rote memorization.
According to the CBSE website, SAFAL will be used to assess the progress of foundational skills and basic learning outcomes/competencies among students. SAFAL, as a diagnostic assessment, will provide developmental feedback to schools and teachers to improve teaching learning without additional examination pressure on students. It has been designed to help students, parents, and teachers to track learning progress throughout the school years and not just in Grades 10 and 12. SAFAL results will not be used in any
manner by schools for promotion of students to the next grade.
