The positional grading system introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has confused students who passed the Class X exams, the results of which were published on Tuesday.
CBSE schools across the State were flooded with phone calls from worried parents and students.
Some schools could not give a convincing reply to alleviate the concerns of the students and parents.
Although those who passed the CBSE Class X exams would get one more day to apply for higher secondary admissions in the State stream, their grading system based on their percentile score has confused the students and the State higher secondary authorities as well. Many students who were eligible for a higher grade by the merit of their marks in a particular subject were disappointed to find themselves given a lower grade on the basis of their position.
For example, students who scored 94 marks in Malayalam were awarded A2 grade. Those who scored 79 in science were given A1 grade.
“I was speechless to find my grade slump to C2 even after scoring 82 marks in Malayalam,” said Huda Abdul Majeed, a student from Al-Farook Senior Secondary School, Feroke.
M. Abdul Nazar, general secretary of the All India Private School and Children Welfare Association, said although the system of grading had the potential to improve the standard of education, the CBSE should clear the confusion.
Subject average
The national subject average grading system or positional grading introduced by the CBSE this year has divided the students into eight categories.
The top 12.5% scorers were given A1 grade and the next 12.5% A2 grade. Similarly, lower grades such as B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 and D2 were equally divided. If more students score high marks in a subject, then naturally the grade of the students may be pushed lower.