Representational Image | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kozhikode, Kerala: A new program ensuring that students progress to the next class only if they perform well academically will begin this summer vacation. The initiative will start with the evaluation of answer sheets from this year's Class VIII annual exams. The evaluation process is set to be completed by April 4. A list of students who score less than 30% in the written exam will be prepared the following day.
School principals and teachers will collaborate to compile this list and identify students who require academic support. The next step involves planning necessary learning interventions at the school level. Before implementing these support measures, parents will be informed.
Special classes for underperforming students will be held from April 8 to 24. Another round of assessments will be conducted from April 25 to 28, and results will be announced on April 30.
These extra classes are part of a broader effort to ensure that students acquire the curriculum-mandated skills at each class. If students continue to struggle despite these efforts, they will receive additional training and attention. Schools will be required to develop specific support plans for such students. If April’s remedial classes do not yield the desired results, further academic support programs will be implemented in May. Special initiatives will also be conducted in June for students who still require assistance.
Concerns were raised that even students who passed the SSLC (Class X) lacked basic proficiency in subjects like language and mathematics. In response to criticism, including comparisons between Kerala’s SSLC system and CBSE, the government introduced a mandatory minimum score of 30% in written exams.
This year, the policy will apply to Class VIII and will be extended to Class IX and X in the coming years. In the case of a 40-mark writing examination, students must secure 12 marks; in a 20-mark writing examination, they are required to obtain six marks. Those who fail to meet these requirements will be enrolled in remedial programs.
Measures are also in place to prevent fraudulent grading that artificially inflates student pass rates. Answer sheets will be stored in schools and must be presented for inspection by education officers. The government’s directive emphasises that quality education is a fundamental right, and this initiative aligns with the broader goal of holistic education.
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