Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 14: If we consider the results of the freshers alone, leaving aside the results of those who appeared for SSLC examination as private candidates, the district perhaps, is at the top of the table or close to it at least. Because, as against the aggregate pass percentage of 84.4 percent registered by the district in SSLC examination this year, 89 percent of those who appeared as regular students of educational institutions have passed the examination. This surely lifts the standing of the district vis-à-vis other districts considerably. In addition, this consideration is not at all unreasonable.

Karnataka State Secondary Education Examination Board calculates aggregate results of individual districts by adding together the results of regular students and private candidates, while announcing district-wise pass percentages. At the same time, for the purpose of calculating the pass percentage of the state as a whole, it takes into account only the result of regular students. The board does this to show that the students of the state have been faring well in SSLC. If this yardstick is applied to districts too, fortunes of the coastal districts, particularly Udupi, will get lifted.

Last year, Udupi district had stood second in the state, considering the results of the fresh candidates alone. It is common knowledge that private candidates who repeatedly appear for the examination in the coastal districts rarely do well in the examinations as most of them do not take it seriously. Contrary to this, students appearing for SSLC examination as private candidates in other districts fare well. Perhaps this is so because the difference between answer sheet valuation patterns. There have been many who argue that mixing of the pass percentage of these two categories of candidates is unjustified, as the resultant figure does not reflect the true efforts put in by teachers and school administrations, as well as the teaching capabilities of the teachers.