Karnataka’s Department of School Education and Literacy has implemented a significant overhaul of the SSLC (class X) and II PU (class 12) examination systems. Under this new approach, students will have the option to select the best score from three ‘annual exams’ if they wish to retake a subject. This marks a departure from the previous system, which included a single annual exam followed by a supplementary exam. The primary objective of this change is to alleviate the pressure on students and provide them with greater flexibility to improve their scores. The department will issue comprehensive guidelines to ensure consistency in question paper content.
BENGALURU: The Department of School Education and Literacy in Karnataka has introduced a comprehensive transformation of the SSLC (class X) and II PU (class 12) examination systems. Under the newly adopted approach, students will now have the option to choose the best score from three ‘annual exams’ if they decide to retake a subject. This significant departure from the traditional system, which featured a single annual exam followed by a supplementary examination, aims to ease the academic pressure on students and offer them increased flexibility to enhance their scores.
The announcement of this educational reform was made by Minister Madhu Bangarappa during the Teacher’s Day event held at Vidhan Soudha on Tuesday. Until now, students undergoing these examinations would appear for one annual examination and, if necessary, a supplementary examination. However, marks obtained in the supplementary exam were considered final. With the implementation of the new system, students will have the opportunity to retain the highest marks achieved in any of the three exams.
These examinations will be renamed as Annual exams 1, 2, and 3, effectively replacing the previous supplementary examination format. To ensure consistency in question paper content and difficulty levels for these three exams, the State Education Board will issue comprehensive guidelines through a circular.
One notable aspect of this reform is the provision of a ‘bridge course’ for students who join the next academic course late. This includes students entering I PUC or degree colleges and aims to compensate for any missed classes during the initial month of the academic year.
The proposed examination schedule has been outlined as follows:
For II PU (class 12) students:
- Exam 1: March 1 to March 25, with results to be declared on April 22.
- Exam 2: May 15 to June 5.
- Exam 3: July 12 to July 30.
For SSLC (class X) students:
- Exam 1: March 3 to April 15.
- Exam 2: June 12 to June 19.
- Exam 3: July 29 to August 5.
This transformation in the examination system reflects Karnataka’s commitment to creating a more student-centric and flexible academic environment. By offering students the opportunity to choose their best scores from multiple attempts, the educational department aims to reduce stress and provide a fairer platform for academic improvement.
Minister Madhu Bangarappa expressed his enthusiasm for this innovative approach, stating, “We believe that this change will empower our students and encourage them to excel in their studies. It aligns with our vision of creating a more supportive and adaptable educational system.”
The introduction of this new examination system has been met with anticipation and support from students, parents, and educators alike. It is expected to pave the way for a more equitable and progressive approach to examinations in Karnataka’s educational landscape.
In conclusion, the Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy’s introduction of a revamped examination system for SSLC and II PU students signifies a significant step towards a more flexible and stress-free academic environment. This forward-thinking initiative is poised to provide students with the opportunity to achieve their best possible results and contribute to the overall improvement of the state’s education system.
