35k students miss SSLC exam due to insufficient attendance in Karnataka

Bengaluru: SSLC exams began with the first language paper Wednesday but around 35,000 students did not have enough attendance to appear for it, said Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB). As per the rules, students need 75% attendance to appear for SSLC exams. "We will bring this to the notice of the govt. Last year, the govt allowed these students to take the SSLC exam 2. It can provide the same facility this year," said an official about students missing the exam.However, there were discrepancies in the number of students taking the exam as reported by the department of school education. A week before the PU exams began, minister for school education and literacy Madhu Bangarappa called for a press conference to explain the preparations for the exam. At that time, the number of students who were to take the exams was mentioned 9,02,889, including 8,12,855 freshers, 62,845 repeaters and 27,189 private candidates.However, things turned by Tuesday, when the minister informed the legislature that 8,65,988 students will appear. As per the data, about 3.6 lakh students from govt schools, 2.1 lakh from aided schools and 2.9 lakh from unaided schools are appearing for the exam. KSEAB officials said this could be because students without sufficient attendance were also included in the initial counts. However, some other stakeholders said it could also be because of over counting of students. KSEAB officials refused to comment on it.First SSLC PaperNo. of students appeared for paper - 8.2 lakhAttendance registered - 98.5%Highest Attendance - 99.6% in UdupiLowest Attendance - 96.4% in Bidar *Figures rounded off