This year’s SSC (Secondary School Certificate) Examination results turned the tide for several students across the state. Some, who could have easily topped the examination from their school, lost out to students who scored lower, but still made headlines.
This year, the state board decided to give SSC students extra marks (between 10 and 25) for excellence in the arts (music, art and folk art) and sports (this since 2011, for students who played at the state, national and international levels). A whopping 193 students scored a cent per cent result, owing their success to the extra-marks scheme.
While some students complain about this putting the top-scoring students at a disadvantage, others believe that it is a step forward in encouraging holistic education. But, what about students who don’t have opportunities to pursue the arts or sports? Would they lose out?
Pune Times took the debate to Sir Parashurambhau (SP) College to hear out what its junior and senior college students thought about the issue...
This decision of the state board values students beyond the confines of academics, recognising that they have the talent to excel in the arts as well. It’s high time that students were also appreciated for what they excelled at outside the classroom.
— Vipul Dhangar, Third Year BA (Political Science)
But, the state board only recognises certain activities that qualify for extra marks. What about students excelling at activities that don’t make it to the current list (haiku or cooking, for example)? The board must broaden its list for more students to benefit from it.
— Harshada Sunil Abhyankar, Std XII (Arts)
This will only encourage more students to pursue such cultural activities. Education isn’t only about academics now, and various education boards are realising this as well. It will also encourage students to consider careers beyond the conventional ones.
— Sukhada Kulkarni, Std XII (Arts)
Rather than just awarding excellence in these fields, the state board (and government) must come up with programmes that encourage more students to pursue these activities throughout the year. They shouldn’t be taking part in these just for the marks.
— Uddesh Pawar, Second Year BSc
The extra marks awarded by the board vary for different achievements. I think this makes sense, considering that the state board might have taken this decision because some activities are tougher than the others, both in terms of the opportunities available, and the difficulty level.
— Rasika Rajendra Kulkarni, Second Year BA
But shouldn’t all achievements be treated equally? There might be some art forms that may be perceived as “easy”, but the opportunities to excel might be few, which means more and harder work for the student. All fields of excellence should be given equal due.
— Amar Rathod, Third Year BSc (Physics)
Have an interesting topic we could debate over? Write to us at ptcampus@timesgroup.com, and we might just come to your campus for the next What's Up, Campus? debate!
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