
Karnataka chief minister asks edu department to ensure 75% pass percentage in SSLC exams
Bengaluru: Nothing could dampen the excitement of the children of the Karnataka Public School in Adugodi Thursday—not even the rain. It was the chief minister and the deputy chief minister who were visiting their school for the inauguration of the new academic year 2025-26.
Much to the delight of the children, Siddaramaiah shook their hands and greeted them before walking to the dais.
The CM set a target for the school education and literacy department to achieve a 75% pass percentage in SSLC exams, without awarding grace marks. In his speech, Siddaramaiah expressed his displeasure over the department awarding grace marks during the 2024 SSLC results. "I have clearly said no grace marks should be given.
To assess the real capacity of students, we should stop giving grace marks."
In the 2026 exams, the total number of students scoring 100% in all subjects should reach 1 lakh. "This year, 40 students secured 625 out of 625. I want that number to be increased to 1 lakh next year," he said.
Siddaramaiah requested parents to enrol their children in govt schools. "I promise that we'll put honest efforts to improve the quality of schools," he said.
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The CM also encouraged students to learn multiple languages while stressing the importance of mastering Kannada. "Learning many languages is beneficial. But it's wrong to assume that children won't succeed if they study in Kannada…I'm the example of a govt school product; today I'm the chief minister of this state for the second time," he added.
Shivakumar urged the children to dream big. "Don't just aspire for a job; you must become someone who creates jobs."
Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy's efforts to improve govt schools in his constituency were appreciated by the other ministers at the event.

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Indian Express
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Siddaramaiah, who has denied any deal at the time of Congress government formation of him making way for Shivakumar after two-and-a-half years in power, has said it is up to the party leadership to take a call, but has hinted that he would at the least like to hold power till early next year and become the longest-serving Karnataka CM after Devaraj Urs (who was in the post for seven years and 238 days). Siddaramaiah too has been trying to build bridges, and recently paid a surprise visit to senior AICC leader B K Hariprasad, a former critic who has a good say in party matters in Delhi. The ostensible reason was a discussion on communal tensions in the coastal region of Dakshina Kannada from where Hariprasad hails. But there was soon talk that Hariprasad, who is an OBC community member like Siddaramaiah, was being considered for a post in a Cabinet reshuffle. 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