Reshma Ravishanker
Pre-University Colleges in Karnataka have expressed apprehension over a possibly late start to the academic year over delayed SSLC exams 3 and a late admission of students after the third round of exams.
Starting this year, Karnataka is allowing students three attempts at SSLC exams (class 10 boards) to help students score better marks.
So far, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) which conducts these exams has announced that May 16 will be the last date of registration for SSLC Exams-2.
However, Pre-university colleges and experts have expressed apprehension over the late admission of students if the third round of exams would commence as late as in July.
Dr M Mohan Alva, president, Karnataka Unaided Pre-University College Management Association (KUPMA) questioned the delay and said that it would affect the routine start of PU classes.
“If the second round of exams begin in June and the third round in July, when are PU colleges expected to commence their classes?” he sought to know.
Dr Alva added, “PU is a life changing time. Not just the boards but students also prepare to face competitive exams. Ideally, classes for all students must commence at the latest by June 1. The government has given students three attempts at SSLC. But in doing so, what if they miss PU classes. Those taking a third attempt will already be at a learning loss. Further, if they miss the first few weeks in college, how will they cope?”
Meanwhile, the principal of a private PU college in Bengaluru said that the proposal to have exams 2 and 3 was against the interest of students.
“Some students take it easy that there are three attempts to improve scores. What they miss out on is the time they will have to bridge their learning gap. Focus should not have been conducting two more exams. Rather, the board must have mandated remedial classes for those students securing low grades and offered only one supplementary exam. If we are ashamed to have a low pass rate in SSLC, no good can happen in higher education. Grace marks will not be offered at all stages,” she remarked.
“Some private PU colleges are also contemplating on having a separate class for those students who pass in SSLC exams 2 and 3 to cater to their learning needs while also ensuring that classes commence late for them so that they do not miss on the syllabus,” she said.
Thimayya Purle, hon. President, Karnataka State Pre-University College Lecturers Association said that the standard of PU education would be compromised.
“This system of giving three attempts to students is a sham. No student will fail at the end of the day. But all we will have at the end of the day is a class full of below average students with inadequate learning levels,” he explained.
Also read: CBSE exam results: Over 93 percent clear Class 10, pass percentage 87.98 in Class 12