The record-setting success rate of the students in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination is no doubt heartening for the young pupils who sat for the exam this year. The results are equally, if not more, inspiring for the large number of schools spread all over the country which sent up their students for the all-important Board examinations. The other key stakeholder, the ministry of education, is also visibly bolstered by what looks like the shining spree of the country's public education system. And the sight of jubilant young faces in the electronic and print media told the whole story of celebration of happiness by the successful candidates.
This year 91.34 per cent examinees were successful in the country’s all 10 education boards, including one each for madrassa and technical education. The pass rate increased by 2.95 percentage points over last year when it was 89.03 per cent. The number of GPA-5 achievers in the 10 boards combined rose to 1,42,276 from last year's 91,226. The number of GPA achievers rose by nearly 45,000 compared to that of last year. So, it is not only the pass percentage that is growing, but also is improving the performance level of the students. It is here that many an eyebrow is raised bringing into question the evaluation process of the students' merit. In fact, the number of GPA-5 achievers has been on increase over the years along with the pass rate. It might look a trifle intriguing that in 2001, when the grading system was introduced, the number of examinees securing GPA-5 was as low as only 76.
Commenting on the overall pass percentage as well as the level of performance of the students in terms of increasing GPAs, the education minister, at a press conference held immediately after the announcement of the results, said that improvement in the overall secondary education scenario is due mainly to the training imparted to around half a million secondary school teachers across the country on a new model of setting questions, dubbed creative questioning method, in order to better judge the students' knowledge in a scientific manner as against the traditional method, reliant largely on memorising the stereotyped answers. While appreciating the system, and not claiming his personal credit for the job, the minister said the results, if anything, indicate sustained progress in the country's education system.
There are a few other indicators that may help understand the education scenario. The gap prevailing in the performance of boys and girls has reduced considerably, the latter lagging behind by about 1.0 per cent. The number of institutions with hundred per cent pass rate rose to 6,210 from on last year's 5,092. While these are fine signs, the urban-rural mismatch is starkly prevalent as before. Schools in urban areas, especially in metropolitan cities, dominated in all key categories such as the top-20 list, GPA-5 achievers and 100 per cent pass rate. While the education minister has noted the results as indicating a sustained improvement in the education system, the rural schools must also be on board.
