No more 'All Pass' in SSLC; minimum marks system to be reintroduced; will be implemented in eighth class and ninth class first

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is abandoning the all-pass system that has destroyed the learning standards of children up to class 10. Thirty percent marks in each paper will be made mandatory to pass the SSLC exam. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting. Although it will come into force in the 10th class only in the academic year 2026-27, it will be implemented in the eighth class earlier this academic year and in the ninth class next year.

Even in the current system, 30% marks are required for each subject to pass the 10th standard, but most of the students would get 20% marks through continuous evaluation conducted by the teachers in the class. Students pass because of this even if they get low marks in the exam. The government became ready to correct this system realizing that the social impact of this is not small and that the value of Kerala is falling at the national level.

Criteria will be fixed and notified to exercise due diligence and consider only merit in continuous evaluation. It has also been decided to develop plans with people's participation to raise the standard of education in classes 1 to 10.

Meantime, the Khader committee report mentioned that grace marks can be continued and the present method of awarding marks should be revised. Major changes are needed in the existing textbook concepts. The learning method should be at a level that develops the child's thinking and raises questions. The best time to study is between 8 am to 1 pm. The remaining time can be used for sports, games, yoga and group activities as per requirement. Children's sportsmanship should be ensured. Light exercises should be made compulsory in class at regular intervals at the primary level. The Khader committee report also recommended that time should be found during studies to nurture the sense of art and nature.

Descent that started at Allpass

1977: Chakkeeri Ahamed Kutty as education minister introduced the 'all pass' system in classes one to nine

1996: Phased implementation of DPEP began with PJ Joseph as Education Minister. The view that experiential knowledge is more important than knowing how to read and write. It was abandoned after the Oommen Chandy government came in 2011

2002: Nalakath Soopy made continuous assessment a part of the examination when he was the education minister. Up to 35% marks can be awarded directly by teachers. Even those who did not know how to read started passing exams

2005: Grading was introduced by ET Mohammed Basheer as Education Minister. Full A pluses proliferated as the trend of giving marks in continuous assessment continued. Even Plus One admission reached a crisis situation.

2024: Education Minister V Sivankutty took interest in the education conclave organized on May 28 under the auspices of SCERT and came to the position of bringing back the minimum marks system. The new decision is based on this. There is also a suggestion to train the students who fail and make them retake the exam to achieve better results.