THE results of the primary terminal exams, tainted by question papers leaks, recorded a quick fall of the number of GPA-5 achievers. Simultaneously published on Tuesday, the results of Junior School Certificate (JSC) examinations showed a slight jump in the pass rate from last year, but a drop in the number of students obtaining GPA-5. The government tends to tag the pass rate and GPA-5 achievement as its success. Although the examiners were instructed to mark liberally, it detracted from the youths’ natural ability to face competition. In addition, the sacredness of examinations is being eroded as the question papers were available before the examinations that probably resulted in a greater pass rate. It is helping in growing up of a dishonest and incompetent generations.
The combined pass rate in JSC and JDC exams stood at 90.41 percent, up by 0.47 percent over 89.94 percent in 2013. But the pass rate in primary schools dropped by 0.66 percentage to 97.92 percent this year from last year’s 98.58 percent. This year, 1,36,945 students scored GPA-5 in JSC exams conducted by eight general education boards, 16,052 less than previous year’s 1,52,997. The number of GPA-5 scorers in primary schools decreased to 2,24,411 from 2,40,961 in 2013. The results of equivalent examinations under Madrasha Board represent a similar trend.
Chairmen of two education boards said that the introduction of the creative question setting method in mathematics was the prime reason for the fall in the number of GPA-5 scorers. However, the Education Minister expressed a different view and said teachers did not look after children’s studies in the way they ought to have and that may be one of the reasons behind the deterioration. Government education administrators said the desired level of education in terms of standard and academic environment is yet to be achieved. It was alleged that question papers of at least three subjects were leaked on social media on the previous night of the examination. But the Primary And Mass Education Ministry rejected the allegations and termed them as “rumour” and “baseless”.
The differences between urban and rural schools in terms of the published results widely indicated social divisions and exposed the state’s failure to discharge the constitutional obligation of ensuring a uniform education system (Article 17). A huge number of rural schools lack infrastructure and efficient and trained teachers, which is why their students do not do well in the terminal examinations. The public schools are lagging behind as the government is allowing private schools to grow and sell high-priced education.
The unnecessary burdensome examinations on the students are not fostering any success in developing competence, honesty, steadiness, perseverance, patriotism and other virtues among the youngsters. The whole system eyes at numbers or percentages, not at quality. That is the curse.
