The Navtika National Symposium 4.0, organised by Salwan Education Trust on Saturday, 21 September 2024, explored ‘Holistic Assessment and Evaluation in Early Years’ with more than 900 attendees that included academicians, Principals, Teachers and Parents on screen. Bringing together educational experts, the event featured keynote speakers including Dr. Indu Khetarpal and Dr. Anupam Ahuja, who emphasized the need to shift from traditional assessment methods to more inclusive, child-centered approaches, in line with the National Education Policy 2020. They also shed light on the transformative power of joyful assessments in nurturing young minds.

Dr Ahuja’s insightful presentation underscored the significance of supportive learning environments, where every child feels valued and empowered to thrive. Reflecting the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP), which arrived after 34 years of the last education policy, Dr Anupam explained that the focus of assessment in the foundational stage should not be to determine what a child is doing “right” or “wrong.” Instead, assessments should be designed to support children in their learning journeys—helping them understand how they are learning and how they can learn more effectively. This shift, advocated by the NEP, places the child at the centre of the learning process, moving away from rigid, outcome-based evaluations. Dr. Ahuja stressed that assessments must be ongoing, not confined to a single day. Continuous assessment allows educators to observe a child’s progress in real-time without the child being conscious of it. The process should be integrated into the child’s natural learning environment, making it seamless, fun, and joyful. Importantly, if children express discomfort, such as frequent complaints of stomach pain or reluctance to attend school, it’s a sign that something needs to be re-evaluated in the way we are approaching their education. Ms. Namya Joshi, a Minecraft Student ambassador delivered an engaging session on gamifying education during the webinar Notably, she showcased innovative lessons, such as teaching the Ramayana through gaming, and introduced tools including Paint 3D for early-age creativity and 3D Bear for augmented reality learning, highlighting the benefits of integrating games into education for holistic child development. Renowned puppeteer, Ms Sangya Ojha showcased the educational efficacy of puppetry, In harmony with the National Education Policy, puppetry was presented as a potent tool for teaching, assessment, and holistic development, cultivating vocabulary, language skills, and self-expression through interactive storytelling.  

The Panel Discussion highlighted the importance of Holistic Progress Cards (HPC), with experts like Ms. Kashmira Jaiswal and Dr. Pooja Maggu discussing their comprehensive role in evaluating students’ academic, emotional, and social development. Dr Mayuri Dutt highlighted the importance of continuous observation, starting with assessing the child as a beginner, progressing through stages, and then evaluating them. Dr. Abhirami Vivek and Smt. Prabha Dixit subsequently deliberated on the vital support and training requirements for teachers to effectively implement HPC. They underlined the significance of seamless communication between schools and parents regarding a child’s comprehensive progress.  Dr. Parul Srivastav, Joint Director, NIPCCD, concluded by discussing the significant impact of the Holistic Progress Card in early childhood education. She highlighted how it supports a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth, extending beyond mere academics. This method promotes inclusivity, personal development, and enriching learning experiences. She ended by affirming that, collectively, we are developing well rounded, confident learners prepared for a promising future.  

The Navtika Symposium 4.0 concluded on a high note, yielding pivotal insights into holistic assessment in early years’ education. Renowned experts underscored the transformative potential of educational gaming, puppetry, and Holistic Progress Cards in promoting rounded development. Key themes emerged, including meaningful parent teacher collaborations, targeted teacher training, inclusivity and collaborative assessment strategies. 

The event underscored the significance of collaboration between educators and parents, the need for teacher training, and the incorporation of diverse, child-friendly learning techniques, all aiming to foster well-rounded, confident learners.