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Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka reduces SSLC passing criteria: 30% per subject, 33% overall average
The Karnataka government Thursday proposed a significant relaxation in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination passing criteria, reducing the overall passing criteria from 35% to 33%. A draft notification issued by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) recommends lowering the minimum subject-wise passing mark from 35% to 30% and introducing an overall pass requirement of 33% average marks combining internal and external assessments. The proposed change states that candidates shall be declared pass if they secure an average of 33% marks when internal assessments and external examinations are combined; score at least 206 out of 625 total marks, and obtain a minimum of 30% marks in each subject. Currently, SSLC students are required to score a minimum of 35% marks in each subject to be declared a pass, regardless of their overall aggregate score. There is no formal provision to pass based on an overall average. The newly proposed system introduces flexibility by allowing students to compensate for relatively weak performance in one subject with better scores in others, provided they clear the minimum 30% threshold in each. D Shashi Kumar, general secretary, KAMS (Karnataka Association Managements of English Medium Schools), said, 'This is a welcome move. Such reforms in SSLC examination evaluation will help nearly one crore students across the state. At the same time, the government should also consider reducing the evaluation marks for first language in SSLC down to 100 from 125, to ensure parity with other boards.' The move also comes in the wake of declining pass percentage in SSLC exams owing to web-casting system, which aims to curb malpractice. The overall SSLC pass percentage was recorded at 83% in AY 2022-23. However, with the introducing of web casting system in 2023-24, the pass percentage in SSLC (exam 1) plummeted to 54% and was later enhanced with grace marks to 74%. However, the board and education minister Madhu Bangarappa faced heat from chief minister Siddaramaiah for awarding grace marks to enhance the pass percentage. Meanwhile, in AY 2024-25 the pass percentage in SSLC (exam 1) improved to 66%, with the web casting system.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka school association urges government to retain three-language policy to protect kids' rights
Bengaluru: The Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka (KAMS) has appealed to the govt to uphold the three-language policy and implement key reforms to the SSLC language assessment system in the best interest of students across the state. The association said it would approach the court in case the state plans to change it to a two-language formula. It may be recalled that following developments in Maharashtra, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said he also approves of two-language formula. The association said, "Political resistance to the three-language policy in Karnataka disproportionately affects state board students. Students under CBSE and ICSE enjoy access to three languages, often including their mother tongue or a foreign language. The state cannot impose a medium of instruction or deny parental rights regarding language education. Any denial of the third language also adversely affects non-Kannada speakers and linguistic minorities. " You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru It also pointed out that Karnataka is the only state that evaluates the first language paper for 125 marks, while across the nation, all boards restrict this to 100. This creates unnecessary pressure on students, it pointed out. The Karnataka School Education and Assessment Board has already submitted a proposal to the state govt to make the assessment in line with CBSE. The proposal recommends the inclusion of internal marks, reduction of pass mark to 33 instead of 35, and evaluating the first language out of 100 instead of 125 marks. "Don't disturb the three-language policy; make it a choice and flexible with freedom of choice, rather than enforcing or eliminating specific languages. These measures are essential for protecting students' rights, promoting multilingualism, and enabling Karnataka's children to thrive in a national and global context," said D Shashi Kumar, secretary of the association at a press conference Saturday.
