No more 'All Pass' for classes 5 and 8; Kerala govt to support decision

The central government has decided to abandon the provision in the Right to Education Act which requires students to be promoted regardless of whether they pass the end-of-year examination or not. From now on, the annual exam must be passed to enter classes 5 and 8. Students who fail to pass this examination shall appear for another examination within two months from the time of the result.

According to the new rules, students who fail the repeat examination shall not be promoted to the next class. The government in their explanation said that the new strict rules would instil determination within children, and also raise the bar of academic performance. Since education is a concurrent subject, states have the right to make independent decisions on the matter. Although a few states including Kerala are against the central policy, the southern state announced that promotion should be given only if there is a certain percentage of marks. Students should at least get 30% of their marks to be promoted in Kerala.

Kerala's decision to end the ‘all pass’ scheme for students has irked the Pro-government teachers. Many are now protesting against this reform of the Public Education Department. Despite the opposition, the government is resolute and will move ahead with the scheme. Sixteen states and two Union Territories have already implemented the central government decision. Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Military Schools and schools under the Central Education Department will henceforth, only promote students getting pass marks in examinations.

Earlier, there was criticism and video evidence of high school students in the state having a tough time reading a sentence. Some even could not complete a sentence in writing. Spelling errors were aplenty. The terrible situation put the government in a dock and minding this the state finally acquiesced to the central government policy.

The ‘All Pass’ system serves as a bad example of an ill-thought move, only floated to earn applause and political brownies. The scheme has adversely affected the academic quality and has dragged many students to the verge of total illiteracy. Hitherto students knew that the government would promote them regardless of their performance. This has also taken away the spirit of examination and the seriousness.

It was the director of public education in Kerala who publicly exposed the fact that many children are unable to read or write four sentences. For being a whistle-blower, the man received flak even from the minister. However, the reality was out in the open.

Tens of thousands of students who "pass" the 10th class in Kerala come with "A plus" grades. Experts do not consider this as proof of academic excellence. The hollowness of the SSLC exam, where the pass percentage is close to 100, remains an irony in itself. Students who don’t even deserve to be promoted are aided by this policy which only aggravates the educational crisis in the state.

Anyways, the government should stay strong in their words to adopt the new policy. It will gradually overhaul the educational system and moreover, let exam fevers return to the state for good. It has been a while.