The results of this year’s secondary school certificate exams were announced on Thursday, with a success rate of 94.1%, amid continuing disagreement over the mechanism for evaluating third language subject papers.
The problem started after the government announced on March 27 that starting this academic year, the third language paper will be assessed using a grading system instead of marks. The change was intended to ensure that the topic would not affect the student’s overall score and was announced before the exam. The decision was appealed in court, and the Supreme Court ordered that marks – not grades – be awarded for the third language this year.
Officials said that the exams recorded an attendance rate of 99.2% this year. 770,209 students showed up out of 775,999 registered. They added that the total number of students who passed the exams reached 724,794, which was reflected in the success rate of 94.1%.
Although the results reflected a clear improvement from the overall pass percentage of 80.04% recorded last year across three examination sessions, only 1,425 students failed in the third language category, officials said.
The SSLC examinations were conducted between March 18 and April 2, and the answer scripts were assessed at 237 centres. The evaluation process was completed on April 16. “The results are historic and the students performed well. I congratulate and congratulate the students, parents, teachers and administration officials,” School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said.
Seven students received perfect scores — 625 out of 625 — and emerged as state valedictorians. Among them was Pratana Biradar Patil, who attributed her success to attentive classroom learning and constant review. She said: “I was studying normally like all students, and I got first place in the state and I would like to thank our teachers. I will continue my studies in the science department, and I did not put in much effort to achieve this achievement. I learned it while the teacher was teaching the lesson and I went home and studied again, which enabled me to get a lot of marks.”
Girls performed better overall than boys, with a success rate of 96.18%. “Although the girls are ranked first, I would like to congratulate the boys because they have improved their performance; there is a 17.69% increase in the boys’ performance compared to last year,” Bangarappa said.
Students in rural areas recorded a pass rate of 94.80%, higher than the 93.2% recorded in urban areas, officials said, adding that government schools saw a 16.8% increase in pass rates compared to last year. “I am happy to announce that more than 50% of government schools obtained 100% results,” Bangarappa said.
He said, “66.5% of the students obtained a grade of 60% or above (distinction), adding that 1,532 students benefited from reducing the minimum passing grade from 35% to 33%.”
Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts recorded pass rates of 98.40% and 98.18% respectively, the highest in the state. Kalaburagi recorded the lowest at 85.06, though it improved over last year, along with Yadgir.
Digital tag cards are becoming available through DigiLocker for the first time, officials said. Students who want to improve their scores can appear for the second round of examinations scheduled from May 18 to 25. The authorities said that a third exam will not be held this year due to the high overall pass rate
