All pass system in school becoming setback for higher secondary; minimum marks for SSLC from next year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Teachers say that passing everyone up to class 8 and adopting a liberal approach in continuous assessment has led to lower standards in higher secondary. Teachers point out that All-Pass weakens the child's learning base. The Education Minister has sought a report from the Director of General Education regarding the drop in the number of government schools with 100% pass rate in higher secondary to seven. In Plus Two, the pass rate this year is 78.69 percent, compared to 82.95 percent last year.

The director of general education had earlier criticized that even students who can't read properly are getting A plus in SSLC. Schools give full marks in continuous assessments to increase pass percentage. The teachers say that students are reaching higher classes without gaining the ability to do so ever since All-Pass happened. Students cannot pass in higher secondary without minimum marks. The department has decided to introduce minimum marks for SSLC from next year after understanding the decline in standards.

"There is only a slight difference in higher secondary pass percentage. Government schools lagging behind in success will be investigated."

-V. Sivankutty,

Minister of General Education

"Higher secondary cannot be passed on the strength of continuous assessment. Each class has 60-65 students. Teachers are not able to take care of all the students.'

-KK Srijesh Kumar

General Secretary,

Kerala Aided Higher Secondary Teachers' Association

"All pass should be stopped. Giving full marks in continuous assessment will degrade the quality of students.'

-K. Abdul Majeed

State President

KPSTA

"Government schools with thousands of students should not be compared with private schools with few students. However, the quality of education needs to be improved."

-OK Jayakrishnan

General Secretary,

All Kerala School Teachers Union

"It's difficult for a student who doesn't have a general understanding of the subject to crack Plus Two. That's why the pass percentage is low."

PS Gopakumar

State President, NTU