K’taka scraps marks for 3rd language in SSLC exams, shifts to grades

Bengaluru:The govt has decided to replace the marks system for the third language in the SSLC (Class 10) exam with a grading system that will not affect a student's overall result. This change will apply to the SSLC exams currently under way, said school education and literacy minister Madhu Bangarappa.However, it is mandatory that all students take the exam. Announcing the decision on Friday at Samagra Shikshana Karnataka, the minister said that with this decision, SSLC exams which had a total of 625 marks, will now be reduced to 525 marks. "There will be no fail or pass for the third language paper. Only grades like A, B, C or D will be given," said the minister.The third language offered by the state board includes Hindi, Kannada, English, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, Konkani, Tulu and Marathi. The move comes following demands from various pro-Kannada organisations who claim that Hindi is being imposed on students. Even though Hindi is not the only third language available for students, it is the most opted subject as most schools offer it. Former minister for primary and secondary education S Suresh Kumar slammed the govt for announcing the decision in the middle of exams. "Declaring that the examination will not be recognized when it is just three days away is a betrayal of children's hard work. If this decision had been taken in Jan-Feb, it would have made some sense," he said.In the last SSLC exams, around 1.6 lakh students failed in third language, according to data from Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB). Of these, 1.5 lakh failed in Hindi.The minister said that there will be no changes in the teaching and pedagogy for third language subjects. "Third language will not be ignored. The decision will, hopefully, reduce exam stress," Bangarappa added.On whether a two-language policy will be implemented in the state, the minister said such issues need to be discussed on a much larger platform. If the policy will be extended to classes 8 and 9, the minister said those classes already have a no-fail policy.The third language paper in the current SSLC schedule is slotted for March 31. The move was welcomed by Kannada Development Authority (KDA). Chairman Purushottam Bilimale said that this decision complements the bilingual policy advocated in the state education policy and will reduce language pressure on students and also promote the growth of Kannada language. "The decision will make the state's education system Kannada-friendly," he said.The minister reiterated that there will be a two-month relaxation in the age criteria for admissions to KG and class 1 classes. This will be applicable to all schools including CBSE, ICSE and international schools. The policy will be in place until a new policy is introduced. A new regulation will be introduced.GFX points3rd language exam mandatory*Third language to be graded A, B, C or D; no pass or fail*Change from ongoing SSLC (Class 10) exams*Total marks reduced from 625 to 525*Taking 3rd language exam is mandatory*Last year 1.6 lakh students failed in 3rd language exam