Overall pass percentage displays downward trend from 70.88 to 69.52, as students are focusing more on competitive exams than HSC, say academics
Overall pass percentage displays downward trend from 70.88 to 69.52, as students are focusing more on competitive exams than HSC, say academics
The overall pass percentage of Higher Secondary Certificate students has shown a downward trend for the past three years.
This year only 69.52 per cent examinees cleared the exam as compared to 70.88 last year, with girls once again superceding boys.
A gang of girls can't control their joy as they take turns to check their HSC board exam results on the Internet at Ruia College in Matunga yesterday
So what is the main reason behind the consistent dip in the pass percentage?
Higher Secondary Certificate Board officials, who claimed the result is satisfactory, argued that the pass percentage has gone down because of an increasing number of students appearing for board exams every year.
"We declared the results early this year only to let students decide on their career," said Mumbai divisional board secretary R Bhise.
But, according to academcis, students are giving more emphasis on competitive examinations than the HSC exams, which could well be one of the main reasons of the poor performance of students.
Praveen Tyagi, director of Bhavani Shankar Road Junior College, said, "The key reason for the drop in performance of the students is competitive exams such as engineering and medical tests.
The marks secured in HSC have no significance because marks obtained in competitive exams are given preferance.
Our junior college has got cent per cent result. Our students, who have done well in competitive exams, have also scored more then 90 per cent in the HSC exam."
But Anila Pillai, vice-principal HR College, shifted the blame on the repeaters, who are "responsible for bringing down the pass percentage".
"Current students are doing well. The freshers' performance percentage is 77.03, while the repeaters' success rate is 28.28 percent.
u00a0
Introduction of the 20-mark oral exams in languages has helped students perform better," he said.
Janam Jain (17), who scored 94 per cent, said, "I performed well in my competitive exams and also managed to score well in HSC too. My favourite subjects are accounts and maths.
u00a0
I want to become a chartered accountant. For maths, rigorous pratice is needed and for accounts understanding is more important.
u00a0
I follow a study routine, which helps me remain stress free. The mantra to handle stress is to prepare for the exams through the year.
One should not leave studies for the eleventh hour. Those who believe in slogging when the exams are at hand get very stressed out.
Apart from my self-study routine, college classes have been of great help. Chief moderators of the Boards used to come and give us tips on how to handle stress and maintain a daily study routine. This helped me a lot."
Aanchal Wadhwani (18) of KC College, who scored 93.33 per cent, said, "I aspire to become an engineer. I was expecting at least 91 per cent, but this has come as a pleasant surprise.
It's true that there are too many competitive exams, but you need to pay attention to HSC exam too. Those who did not do well in the exams should not lose heart as this is not the end of life, it is just the beginning.
So please don't take any extreme step in depression." Marksheets will be given to students on June 6.
Falling figures
The overall pass percentage in the state:
2008: 80.24
2009: 74.61
2010: 70.88
2011: 69.52
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
