The Government College University Lahore has announced introducing a new thrice in semester teacher assessment system aimed at enhancing the quality of education by closely monitoring and evaluating the performance of educators.
The announcement was made by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Syed Aghar Zaidi during the inauguration of the Lecturers Training Programme 2023.
The Vice Chancellor revealed the new assessment system will involve three levels of evaluation, and would be implemented from Fall 2023. According to him: “The initiative of taking the students’ feedback three times in a semester aims to adopt a student-centric approach by empowering students to help us to improve the quality of learning. The feedback will provide the course instructors, and academic and administrative management with insights into the quality of teaching and learning outcomes, and methods of imparting knowledge. This exercise guarantees our students the best possible learning environment at the University.”
The first level of teachers’ assessment will occur at the beginning of each semester, where students will provide feedback on aspects such as course handbook, clarity on weekly topics, and curriculum to be covered. This feedback will be initially reviewed by the department chairperson to hold educators accountable for delivering the course content.
The second assessment will take place mid-semester, assessing whether teachers have adhered to their commitments, including weekly lectures and a student-centered teaching approach. This evaluation aims to ensure consistent and high-quality education for students.
The third and final assessment will occur at the end of each semester, involving a comprehensive evaluation that considers overall student feedback, grading practices, and teachers' performance throughout the semester. According to the VC: “It will help us to make judgments about the course, to improve its effectiveness and to take informed decisions about offering of the course and performance of the teacher.”
Talking about the training programme, the Vice Chancellor said that the eight week training would equip faculty with innovative pedagogical approaches and enhance the overall academic experience for students. The training covers various topics, including pedagogy, student-centered learning, teaching strategies, technology integration, and assessment methods.