Page 35 - EW November 2025.pdf Final

have depressed pass rates, decision. Both CBSE and CISCE evaluation pattern by allowing 25 out
disadvantaging SSLC students in have stipulated 33 percent as pass of the 33 marks to be allotted by way
accessing higher and skill education marks in their class X exams. Now, of internal assessment of schools.
opportunities”. “We want to our students will be able to compete So students need to secure only 13
increase the number of students with them on a level playing field. marks in the board exam to pass.
clearing class X and also introduce a More important, with the number Education standards will suffer huge-
uniform assessment system aligned of students clearing class X bound ly and students will be ill-prepared
with CBSE and other boards. The to increase, a larger number of our for higher education. The number of
new rule (GO) will apply to regular, students will be able to access higher students dropping out of college will
repeat and private students writing and skills education,” he says. increase exponentially.”
SSLC and II PUC examinations While KAMS has welcomed the The viewpoint is endorsed by the
for the academic year 2025-26,” GO, several other school associations opposition BJP leader Basavaraj
said the state’s education minister have criticised it as a populist short- Horatti, who has written to the state
Madhu Bangarappa, addressing sighted measure that will undermine government to withdraw the GO and
the media on October 15. learning and academic standards in restore 35 percent as the minimum
Although ex-facie the state’s GO the state’s 56,157 schools affiliated pass mark. In his letter, he implored
seems to be a level-down direc- with the KSEAB. the state government to strengthen
tive, D. Shashi Kumar, general Comments Lokesh T, president infrastructure, fill teacher vacan-
secretary, Associated Management of Karnataka Registered Unaided cies, and improve classroom quality
of Primary and Secondary Schools in Private Schools Association: “Lower rather than lower the evaluation bar.
Karnataka (KAMS), which has 2,095 pass marks will depress education But Horatti’s advice is likely to fall on
member schools statewide, says that standards and learning outcomes deaf ears, as this issue requires deep
the directive has “leveled the play- of students. Moreover, it’s not just systemic reforms rather than quick
ing field for Karnataka state board about reducing pass marks, the fixes.
students”. “We welcome this historic government has also changed the Reshma Ravishanker (Bengaluru)

NOVEMBER 2025 EDUCATIONWORLD 35