Data: 40 per cent Class 10 kids failed quarterly, half-yearly exams

Chennai

After cancelling SSLC board exams by declaring all students pass, the government had announced that 80% of the total marks would be based on students’ performance in the quarterly and half-yearly exams and the remaining 20% would be based on their attendance.

However, following complaints from parents and academicians, the School Education Department had asked private schools to submit students’ answer sheets besides producing attendance register and this would be uploaded on Education Management Information System (EMIS), a common online platform.

A senior Directorate of School Education official, seeking anonymity, told DT Next it was found that 40% Class 10 students had failed in both exams after EMIS was verified. Stating that 80% of the State-run schools had already submitted the marks, he said, “Most schools in rural areas couldn’t upload the data due to poor internet there.”

Pointing out that the fail percentage might increase once all data was verified, the official said that even the attendance of thousands of students was below 80%. The official also said that several requests have poured in for the government to consider preparing marks based on the last two revision tests. Tamil Nadu Teachers Association president PK Ilamaran urged the State to introduce grade system for Class 10 students based on the whole year’s performance to avoid this predicament.