This story is from May 2, 2019

SSLC: Dakshina Kannada’s overall ranking belies improvement

Dakshina Kannada, whose students once outperformed the state in the SSLC examination, has seen a steep fall in overall performance, although the education district has seen a steady increase in passing percentage — from 85.6 in 2018 to 86.8 in 2019.
SSLC: Dakshina Kannada’s overall ranking belies improvement
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: With SSLC results out, students and parents queue up for admission at St Aloysius Pre-University College in Mangaluru on Wednesday
MANGALURU: Dakshina Kannada, whose students once outperformed the state in the SSLC examination, has seen a steep fall in overall performance, although the education district has seen a steady increase in passing percentage — from 85.6 in 2018 to 86.8 in 2019. The education district has fallen from fourth rank last year to seventh this year, while in terms of quality the district has fallen one spot from fourth last year to fifth this year.

Officials in the department of public instruction have begun a review of its measures and policies to figure out reasons for the fall. However, Y Shivaramaiah, deputy director of public instruction (DDPI), Dakshina Kannada, told TOI that although the district has fallen in terms of ranking, the performance of students is satisfying.
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YShivaramaiah, deputy director of public instruction, Dakshina Kannada, hit the nail on the head when he said the SSLC exam is not “a gambling game” and that the district’s performance is actually heartening. Viewing exams from the narrow prism of pass percentage skews interpretations of the results. But then, the education system in the country is biased towards higher marks rather than actual learning — a test of memory rather than of knowledge. Be that as it may, the SSLC exam is an important one in the lives of students and is a stepping stone to greater things. Students would do well to ace it.


“Besides an improvement in pass percentage, the number of students who failed has reduced,” Shivaramaiah said. “This year, as many as 84 schools secured 100% result as against only 64 schools last year. This is an indication that DK has done well, but there is always room for improvement. We will work out plans to do better.
He also took a swipe at critics. “All those who cry that DK has done poorly in the SSLC exam should understand this is not a gambling game,” he said.
Belthangady tops
Of all the taluks, Belthangady topped the district with a pass percentage of 91.6 followed by Moodbidri (91.5%). Mangaluru North moved to third place displacing Puttur, while Bantwal (84.2%) brought up the rear.
The district had stood third in 2005 with a pass percentage of 73.9 and over the next few years, it delivered mixed results. In 2006, it took 11th spot with a pass percentage of 72.9, but improved to fifth with a pass percentage of 82% in the subsequent year. Three years ago (2013), the district fell to a lowly 24th position with 78.8%.
In 2014, its pass percentage increased to 79.1, but its ranking slipped to 29, while last year it rose to eight position although the increase in pass percentage was marginal (79.4). But it secured third place in the quality of results. In 2017, it rose to second rank with pass percentage of 82.4, but its ranking over the next two years continued to fall although its pass percentage improved significantly.
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About the Author
Kevin Mendonsa

He has over a decade of experience in writing, reporting, and editing for print media. He is working with The Times of India as a senior correspondent (senior digital content creator) from 2015. He covers education, crime, aviation, lifestyle and other subjects.

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