Recent data unveiled by the Maharashtra School Principal’s Federation spokesperson sheds light on the performance of Std V and VIII students in the term-end examinations conducted last month in Pune district. The statistics reveal that approximately 5% of urban school students and 3-4% of rural school students did not pass the exams.
The government resolution issued in December last year mandated that Std V and VIII students must secure a minimum of 35% marks in the annual exams, based on the syllabus taught in the second semester, to be promoted to the next class.
At a recent federation meeting in the city, attended by representatives from 13 talukas of the district, the spokesperson discussed the preliminary findings. While taluka-wise statistics or details of the subjects where most students failed are yet to be disclosed, it was emphasized that schoolteachers would provide guidance to these students for the re-exam preparations. The mode of preparation, whether offline or online, will be tailored based on local needs, as there is no blanket order regarding the preparation mode.
The spokesperson, who was also part of the evaluation committee formulating the policy reinstating the term-end exam system for Std V and VIII students, highlighted the significance of these exams in the context of the no-detention policy. The policy, initiated after the implementation of the Right to Education Act 2009, ensured that no child shall be retained in the same class or expelled from school until completing primary education till Std VIII. However, the state government issued a GR last year restarting term-end examinations for classes V and VIII.
For students who did not clear the exams, re-exams are scheduled for June to provide them with an opportunity to clear the failed subjects and proceed to the next class. Official figures are pending as the Maharashtra State Council of Education Research and Training is yet to review the results.
Meanwhile, students eagerly await the announcement of Std XII and Std X exam results, anticipated to be declared in the third and fourth week of May, respectively, according to state board chairman Sharad Gosavi. Typically, Std X exam results are declared in June, but this time, the board aims to release them by May-end.
