Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?

Students can be allowed to grade the teachers. However, a lot of maturity and insight is involved before the grading can be done. A key component in this aspect is the basis of the rating. The legend or the rating scale should clearly reflect the basis of the rating. This will ensure that bias is not present in the rating. Additionally, this is only part of the 360 degree evaluation feedback that could also be considered from fellow peers and other members.

However, historical data indicates that there have been more cases of abuse than benefit of this system. This may be due to lack of maturity and the usage of this system to blame the member.

Thus, in case this system is implemented then adequate controls need to be in place to ensure that the aim of the system is basically to improve the teaching methodology and it is not to find fault with any member.

Ultimately, only one person needs to exercise the authority and it is the teacher. This system basically ensures that this authority is exercised in a rational manner without bias and it gives a leverage for the student to express his frank and unbiased opinion of the teaching methodology. However, a lot of discretion needs to be exercised before implementing this system on account of the major pitfalls present......

At Higher levels of Education, teacher must be graded.

Yes, It shall be done atleast from High school level in a strictly confidential way to assess the the quality of teachers

Studenst need to rate teachers adn it can be doen from standard 4 onwards

They need to be asked questions and answer shoudl be in yes or no, please do understand the students of lower standards will be more true than the students of higher standards

Based on the rating the teacher can decide where he /she needs to improve

it is a two way process. students may not have the required level of maturity. this can be checked by an independent body. this way teachers will be able to know where they stand & can make improvements or changes which will be good for shishu & guru. the best guru is one who can impart knowledge. someone who can pass on knowledge which he has/ acquired. what use is the most intelligent person if he cannot pass on his knowledge,that is greatness,one who can selflessly give knowledge to others.

It will help teachers to overcome there weakness,but grading should be done in a professional way

My experience of being graded by my students has generally been good. Most students take it seriously. However, it all depends on the items that are included in the rating form and how the system is administered. It definitely should be anonymous as students will feel free to grade and also comment on their experience with their teacher. The comments should be helpful rather than cynical or outright disrespectful. 

Feedback process really appreciated......... but it will not only for grading but with comments also so that school management and parents also discuss with that part.....

This is the problem Indians are facing of whenever the arrow comes towards thier head they oppose it but for others they shout for it.Be reducing summer vacation for judges, opening education to foreign university even IIM professor opposed it. I think it must be compulsory. Its already observed in Reliance school in Surat where all school students have give feedback of their teacher and based on thier feedback school decides whether to continue the teacher or not ?

Amazing debate. Yes. i believe student should be given such power. it will pretty much helpful to increase effeciency, knowledge of the teachers. They can abolish their weakness.

@Nitin: With us, we have a 360deg feedback system. Students' feedback makes only a partial influence in teachers' performance evaluation.

@Sanoop: Here the intelligence of higher authorities comes to play a vital role. They must know how to differentiate between right and wrong feedbacks. Also, not all will go against a particular teacher at the same time.

Yes, why not. Teachers are also humans and prone to making mistakes. They need to know where they went wrong. Important it is to take the criticism positively and remain open to improvement. 

oh yes, they should, this is done in our IIT system and I always get wiser... g8 learning experience  

The opinion of the students is definitely important because it is they who have to follow what is being taught to them. But maybe grading is taking things a bit far.

The person who grades shall be superior to the person to whom they grade, ofcourse students are the benificieries and for that reason they may allowed to support the grading. Otherwise it will be a reverse mechanisam of the said principle of grading. Students may not have expert knowledge about grading, they aer also not in a position to understand the expertise of the teachers, they may be allowed to participate as a supporting role for grading.

Yes the schools should start getting feed back form the students about their teachers. This will help the students as well the teachers to improve their skills. The students should be able tell the good and bad things of their teacher. This two way feed back will bring some change in the education system. Especially this should be implemented in governments schools and immediate action should be taken.

Thanks....

Yes definately students should be allowed to grade their teachers.This is a vry gud way to get feedback from students regarding to their teachers.