Kerala: 99.47% students clear SSLC exam held in peak of second wave

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SSLC results for the 2020-21 academic year were declared on Wednesday and the total pass percentage stood at a record 99.47%. Over 1.2 lakh scored A+ for all subjects in the exams held in the thick of the second Covid wave.
The pass percentage this year is up by 0.65% compared to last year (98.82%). While only 21,318 candidates failed to crack the examination, 1,21,318 students scored A+ in all subjects. Only 41,906 students had scored A+ for all subjects in the previous year. Of the 4,21,887 students who attended the examination, held in April this year, 4,19,651 have been declared eligible for higher studies. Apart from Kerala, exams were conducted in Gulf countries as well as Lakshadweep.
While most state and central boards decided against conducting board examinations and had cut down syllabus owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kerala government had refused to go with the trend and conducted the examinations with a dogged pursuit. Students attended offline exams even as their learning process was entirely dependent on recorded classes telecast on Victers television channel.
Education minister V Sivankutty congratulated students, parents and teachers for making the examination possible in these trying times. “The record results show the resilience and hard work putin by students, parents, and teachers,” he said. The minister also dismissed fears that the 'record performance' would lead to a shortage of Plus One seats. “The government would make the necessary arrangements,” he said.
Minister, DGE deny liberal valuation
Director general of education Jeevan Babu said the result was highly commendable as most states and central boards did not even conduct examinations. “Focus areas in the syllabus were given to students in advance. They were also given multiple choice questions. The conduct of the examination itself was an achievement,” he said. Both the minister and DGE rejected rumours that valuation was too liberal this time and the result did not reflect real academic quality.
The SSLC examinations were held from April 8 to 29 and the valuation of answer books was completed in 16 days, from June 7 to 26. As many as 12,791 teachers took part in the valuation process. Students who score D+ or above in all subjects are eligible for higher students. Since IT practical examinations could not be conducted owing to Covid-19, marks for the same were given on the basis of the score they achieved as part of the continuing evaluation process.
THSLC result
THSLC too recorded a record pass percentage of 99.72 %. Of the 2,889 students who appeared for the examination in 48 schools, 2,881 have become eligible for higher studies. THSLC (hearing impaired) pass percentage was at 100% and SSLC (HI) too recorded cent percent pass.
Revaluation
Applications for revaluation of answer booklets can be submitted from July 17 to
23. The date for Save a Year (SAY) examination would be announced later.