‘Poor results making of previous regimes’

WE DECIDED THAT IT WAS A TIME TO FACE THE REALITY AND DID NOT MASK OUR PERFORMANCE BY GIVING GRACE MARKS RAM BILAS SHARMA, education minister

CHANDIGARH: Haryana education minister Ram Bilas Sharma on Thursday said the abysmally results of Classes 10 and 12 of government schools was the making of previous regimes. Only 41.28% students of government schools cleared the Class 10 exams and 53.96% in Class 12.

Sharma, who was speaking to mediapersons, said in previous years, the results were equally poor but the grace marks were given to increase the pass percentage. The minister said the actual pass percentage in 2012 was 40.63% which was raised to 65.38% by previous government by giving grace marks. Similarly in 2013, the actual pass percentage was 40.95% which was increased to 50.79% again by giving grace marks. Sharma said in 2014 also, the actual pass percentage of 52% which was increased to 60% by way of grace marks.

“We decided that it was time to face the reality and did not mask our performance by giving grace marks. This year, the Haryana Board of School Education did not follow the trend of giving grace marks to increase the pass percentage which was in practice during the previous regimes,” he said.

The minister, however, could not clearly spell out the future roadmap for improving the standards of education. When asked, he could only suggest a shortterm measure. “Government teachers will be asked to take special coaching classes in June for 25% Class 10 and 22% Class 12 candidates who will re-appear for the exams,”, said minister.

In reply to a question about the fate of contractual computer teachers, the minister said `71 crore on account of security deposit and 13 months’ pending salary had been released to 2,852 computer teachers. Sharma said the government might abolish the semester system in schools as suggested by many academicians.