KAMS urges K’taka govt to reduce SSLC pass percentage from current 35 to 33 to match national norms
Bengaluru: In a bid to improve student outcomes in the SSLC examination, the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has urged the state government to reduce the minimum pass percentage from the current 35% to 33%, bringing it in line with national standards.
KAMS, an association of private school managements, has submitted a series of policy-level reforms and recommendations to improve the pass percentages in the SSLC exam to Rashmi Mahesh, Principal Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy. The proposal follow a comparative study of the education systems in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, as reported by The Hindu on Sunday.
The association has requested the government to form a high-level committee on SSLC exam reforms immediately. It pointed out that Karnataka’s pass criteria are stricter than in other regions. “While in Karnataka it is 35%, CBSE has it at 33%. In Kerala, it is 30% in all subjects and also in total. In Andhra Pradesh, students must score 35% in each subject except in Hindi (20%). Overall 32.5% is required,” KAMS noted.
The association also highlighted disparities in assessment models. While states such as Kerala and Telangana follow a blended approach combining internal and external assessments, Karnataka mandates a minimum of 35% solely in the final written examination, with no weight given to internal assessments. For instance, Telangana includes 20 internal marks per subject, and Kerala allots 130 marks to internal evaluations out of a total of 650. CBSE allocates 20 marks for internals and 80 for externals, requiring students to score 33% overall to pass the exams.
KAMS further recommended the introduction of a dual exam option in mathematics and science in Karnataka, similar to the CBSE system that offers students a choice between basic and standard mathematics. This, the association argues, would reduce academic burden on students, the report added.
To ensure broader reforms, KAMS also recommended aligning Karnataka’s textbooks and curriculum with those of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). In addition, improving teacher training and strengthening the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) process were among the other reforms suggested.
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Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
