Suggestions to implement separate passing marks for theory and internals by senior officials to remain on paper as the authorities concerned fail to reach consensus
A suggestions made by senior education officials to have separate passing marks for theory and internal exams for the state board seems to have hit a roadblock, at least for now.
The board officials said there was no consensus on the implementation of this rule despite a series of meetings between the authorities concerned.
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“The resolution was proposed by the senior education officials and we were asked to find an easy way to implement the same. But after much discussion, we are still not sure if this will benefit students in any way,” said Krishnarao Patil, state board secretary.
He added that board officials are still consulting experts and educationists to figure out an alternate solution. “While the purpose behind the suggested changes is correct, we don’t want to put students in a spot,” Patil said.
State education commissioner S Chockalingam and state education secretary Ashwini Bhide had made the suggestion at the beginning of the current academic year.
The senior officials had pointed out that with every year, the passing percentage of students was increasing by over 10 per cent.
“While the purpose of dividing marks between theory and internals was to ensure that students get involved in projects alongside textbooks in every subject, we don’t want them to misuse the internals marks just to clear a subject,” said a senior official.
As per board rules, theory papers are for 80 marks while internals are for 20 marks. As of now, students have to score 35 marks overall to clear a subject.
Officials, however, are pushing for separate passing marks. Many claimed that several schools and colleges manipulate marks for internals, due to which students pay very little attention to theory papers.
“Once a student is assured that they will score 20 out of 20 in internals, it is very common for them to study just enough to score over 15 marks in the written exam.
This is a huge problem and many teachers have noticed this trend in schools, especially for language papers where scoring is difficult,” said Ranjita Chavan, a schoolteacher. She added that in several cases, students don’t even attempt more than 30 marks worth of the 80-mark theory paper, and still end up passing because of the marks scored in internals.
Principals nod
While the state board is yet to implement the rule, it has already found support from the principals. “Separate passing marks in theory and internal examinations are essential to ensure that students take academics seriously. Passing in examinations has become easy for many, due to which most don’t pay attention to the subjects any more,” said Kavita Rege, principal of Sathaye College in Vile Parle.
Board officials said they would soon take the final decision and inform schools and colleges accordingly.
Studentspeak
“Scoring in theory papers becomes difficult, especially during the board exams. We bank on doing well during internals because it takes away the pressure of scoring high in theory. If they implement the suggestion, it will add to the existing stress of obtaining high marks,” said Aniket Shah, a class XII student.
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