The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning (SAFAL), a competency-based diagnostic assessment, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Introduced in July 2021, SAFAL aims to evaluate and improve teaching and learning practices in CBSE-affiliated schools.
SAFAL Overview
SAFAL targets students in grades 5 and 8, and will be conducted in July 2024. It is designed to assess students’ competency achievements rather than serve as a competition or qualifying exam. The primary goal of SAFAL is to identify areas needing improvement to enhance the quality of education.
Key Points of CBSE’s SAFAL
Diagnostic Tool: SAFAL is a diagnostic tool aimed at assessing learners’ competency achievements. It focuses on identifying areas for improvement in teaching and learning practices.
No Extra Preparation Required: SAFAL, being a competency-based assessment, does not necessitate extra classes or specific preparation. Regular classroom teaching focused on competencies is sufficient.
Confidential Reports: Participating schools will receive their own school-level competency reports, which will remain confidential and will not be compared with other schools.
Assessment Context: SAFAL is intended to evaluate teaching and learning practices and should be viewed in this context. It aims to provide feedback that schools can use to improve their educational strategies.
Responsibilities of School Authorities
School authorities are responsible for ensuring the assessment is conducted with sincerity and integrity, adhering to the standard operating procedures and guidelines provided by CBSE. Additionally, technical footprints will be recorded during the assessment, and data scrutiny will be conducted to maintain accuracy and integrity.
SAFAL is a significant step towards improving the quality of education by focusing on competency-based assessments. It aligns with the goals of NEP 2020, aiming to provide a holistic and effective learning experience for students in CBSE-affiliated schools.
CBSE’s Competency-Based Assessment (SAFAL) FAQs
Q1. What is SAFAL and what are its objectives?
Ans. SAFAL, or Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning, is a competency-based diagnostic assessment introduced by CBSE. Its primary objectives are to assess learners’ competency achievements, identify areas needing improvement, and enhance the quality of teaching and learning practices in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Q2. Who will participate in the SAFAL assessment and when will it be conducted?
Ans. SAFAL targets students in grades 5 and 8 in CBSE-affiliated schools. The assessment will be conducted in July 2024.
Q3. Do students need to undertake extra preparation for the SAFAL assessment?
Ans. No, students do not need to undertake extra preparation for SAFAL. The assessment is competency-based and regular classroom teaching focused on competencies is sufficient for students to perform well.
Q4. How will the results of the SAFAL assessment be shared with schools?
Ans. Participating schools will receive their own school-level competency reports, which will remain confidential. These reports will not be compared with those of other schools, ensuring that the feedback can be fully utilized by each school to improve their teaching and learning practices.
