Sat Jul 05 09:10:37 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

A State Planning Commission report in Tamil Nadu, India, revealed that the state’s high higher education enrollment rate (52%) masks significant issues with curriculum and assessment. University question papers were found to primarily test rote learning rather than analytical or problem-solving skills, negatively impacting student outcomes. In response, the Tamil Nadu government launched a faculty training program in December 2024 focused on Bloom’s Taxonomy, aiming to develop teachers’ capacity to frame questions that require higher-order thinking. The program, led by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE), has trained nearly 2,000 faculty members with plans to train 50,000 more. Future audits of university question papers will assess the inclusion of higher-order thinking skills.

**News Article:**

**Tamil Nadu Tackles Rote Learning in Higher Education with Ambitious Faculty Training Program**

**CHENNAI, July 5, 2025** – Despite boasting a high gross enrollment ratio (GER) of 52% in higher education, Tamil Nadu is taking steps to address concerns about the quality of its university education system. A State Planning Commission report unveiled in December 2023 highlighted significant deficiencies in curriculum transaction and assessment, with university question papers primarily focusing on recall rather than analytical and problem-solving skills, fostering rote learning among students.

In response, the Tamil Nadu government initiated a comprehensive faculty training program in December 2024. The program, spearheaded by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE), is centered around the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, a framework designed to promote higher-order thinking. The initiative aims to equip teachers with the skills to design course outcomes and evaluation methods that challenge students beyond simple memorization.

“We want to build their capacity to frame analytical and problem-solving questions for evaluating students,” stated M.P. Vijayakumar, Vice Chairman of TANSCHE. He emphasized the importance of a gradual transition to avoid overwhelming students.

The program has already trained nearly 2,000 faculty members, with ambitious plans to reach all 50,000 faculty across the state. TANSCHE has also trained 180 master trainers to expedite the process.

The workshops provide faculty with a rundown on the Learning Outcome-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) and Outcome-Based Education (OBE). Participants are required to write course outcomes to reflect the final program outcomes.

TANSCHE plans to audit question papers from state universities and autonomous colleges to assess the integration of higher-order thinking skills. While tangible results are expected to take years, the initiative represents a critical step towards improving the quality of higher education in Tamil Nadu.

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