Student organisation warns move will dilute academic standards, deepen inequality, and harm students from rural and government schools
Bengaluru: In a strong rebuttal to the Karnataka state government's reported proposal to reduce the pass percentage for SSLC and PUC II students to 33%, the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) Karnataka has called the move regressive and one that threatens the integrity of the public education system.
Academic Standards Under Threat, Says AIDSO
AIDSO has argued that such a decision would severely compromise the quality of education and worsen learning outcomes, especially for students studying in government and rural schools.
The organisation pointed out that the increasing pass percentage in recent years is not due to improved learning but due to a systemic dilution of academic benchmarks. AIDSO attributes this to policies like the No Detention Policy up to Class 9, which has led to students being promoted without acquiring adequate foundational knowledge, especially in critical subjects like Science and Mathematics.
"Instead of addressing learning gaps and improving classroom support, the government is choosing the shortcut of lowering pass marks. This is not reform—it is academic sabotage," said an AIDSO spokesperson.
Systemic Gaps Ignored
According to AIDSO, the focus should be on resolving deep-rooted structural problems in the public education system rather than lowering academic expectations.
Key concerns highlighted include:
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Over 50,000 vacancies in teaching and non-teaching positions in government schools
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Inadequate infrastructure in rural schools
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Overburdened teachers performing non-academic duties
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Lack of training, learning materials, and institutional support
AIDSO warned that if these issues are not addressed, reducing the pass percentage will further erode higher education standards and widen the education gap between students from government and private institutions.
Marginalized Students Will Suffer Most
Students from economically weaker and marginalized backgrounds will bear the brunt of such a policy. AIDSO noted that they will be at a greater disadvantage in competitive exams and the job market, thereby increasing social and academic inequality.
The organisation stressed the importance of strengthening foundational learning from early grades, not diluting assessment standards. They also demanded the reintroduction of the pass-fail system from Class 1 to ensure accountability and early intervention.
AIDSO’s Key Demands to the Government
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Withdraw the proposal to reduce the pass percentage to 33%
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Fill all vacant teaching and non-teaching posts immediately
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Improve infrastructure, provide adequate learning materials and teacher training
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Reduce non-academic workload on teachers
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Strengthen foundational learning from early grades
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Reintroduce the pass-fail system starting from Class 1
Public Call to Action
AIDSO Karnataka has called upon students, teachers, parents, and concerned citizens to resist the dilution of academic standards and support the movement for a strong, scientific, and equitable public education system.
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