Of judges and grace marks

The quality of judgment at the festival – more so at the lower levels – is certainly a vexed issue. But it would be wrong to say that all judges are corrupt.

Yet, there have been proven instances of manipulation in the mark sheets after the final tabulation. Once a participant got 110 out 100.

“That issue could be solved if the marks are entered digitally,” says Bharatanatyam dancer Aswathy Srikanth. “And the organisers should ensure that they get quality judges at the lower levels.”

Besides, the Department of Education has got an excellent information technology wing, whose services could be utilised for judgment, like using videography extensively. Last year, corruption charges against Kuchipudi judges were investigated by the Vigilance. More of such measures should act as deterrents.

Lakhs of spectators

We should not forget the fact this is one festival that has no parallel. Lakhs of spectators come to watch 10,000 young artistes competing in over 200 events. “The Kerala government needs to be congratulated on making the School festival so huge and successful, but they should ensure that none of its sheen is lost,” says Anupama.

It is because of the vision and hard work of Education Ministers, bureaucrats, teachers, students and the media over several decades that the festival has reached where it is today. Changes are always welcome, but they should enhance the festival and not diminish it in any way.

Earlier there were suggestions, from many quarters, to stop giving grace marks to the Grade winners. As The Hindu had reported in these columns a fortnight ago, that is not going to happen.

If it were, the Thrissur edition would have signalled the beginning of the decline of the fete. Not that the festival should only be seen as the means to get grace marks. Ways should be explored to see how a student gets an unfair advantage because of grace marks.