The pass percentage in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) 2010 examination has plummeted by almost 7 per cent. This year, the pass percentage is 66.81 (for fresh and private candidates), which is the lowest over the past three years. In 2009, the pass percentage was 73.71, while it was 67.96 and 73.21 in 2008 and 2007 respectively.
Of the 8.20 lakh candidates who appeared for the examination, 5.21 lakh passed. The total pass percentage, including fresh, repeaters and private candidates, is 63.56, compared with last year's 70.22.
Like in the previous years, girls have outperformed boys, while rural students have fared better than their urban counterparts.
Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri said the SSLC results would be announced on Thursday. While the results would be available online after 7 a.m., it would be put up in schools at 2 p.m.
The pass percentage of fresh candidates is 68.77, repeaters 21.56 and private candidates 7.26. Three candidates — Aishwarya B. Rajeev, Pavan C.M., and Apoorva J. — have scored 619 marks out of 625, securing the highest percentage of 99.04. The pass percentage of candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes is 56.93, Scheduled Tribes 57.76, Category 1 63.28 and others is 70.14.
This year, Chikkodi education district secured the first place with a pass percentage of 79.92, followed by Bangalore Rural and Mandya with 79.21 and 79.12 respectively. As many as 285 students have secured 100 per cent in first language, 127 in mathematics, 59 in third language, 41 in social science, 27 in science and 17 in second language.
The three districts with the lowest pass percentage are Bidar (32.27), Gadag (49.71) and Yadgir (51.87). As many as 86 schools have recorded zero percentage. Of the 86 schools, two are government schools, seven are aided schools and 77 are unaided schools.
As many as 619 students have scored zero in second language, 566 in mathematics, 165 in science, 87 in third language, 64 in first language and 40 in social science.
Examination pattern
“This year, we changed the examination pattern. We were also anxious about the result. We will study the reasons for the drop in pass percentage. There are several recommendations before us with regard to improving the quality of education, thereby increasing the pass percentage. We will look into these recommendations to see if they feasible,” Mr. Kageri said.
He said the Government would give away computers to three meritorious students from government schools in each education district, who have scored the highest marks. He urged parents to not belittle their wards who have failed in the examination. “We must instil confidence in them and encourage them to perform well in the supplementary examinations,” he added.
