Pre-five years there once existed a time, a State would have an academic topper for class tenth. Waiting for the results, and knowing students’ marks then seemed like a celebration. But post five years today, we have 145 toppers in a State with each one scoring full marks. This indeed is a situation to be analysed.
Mathematics and rarely Science had scope for full marks. As maths is purely based on solving problems and there will always be a single solution to it, one can obtain full marks. In the case of Social, English and other language subjects answers can vary for each individual based on their perspectives. And so assigning full marks is an impossible task as there can be no perfect answer to the subject concerns. This indeed is a reason even in graduate programmes where the maximum percentage a rank holder with humanities background can achieve is 90 per cent while for the student with Science background 95 per cent and plus are expected. Having a total of hundred plus toppers highlights the lenience observed in the evaluation.
To the students who have topped the paper, it indeed will be a matter of pride but as a system is concerned the result seems to affect the quality of education in long run. Article 21-A in the Constitution of India has the provision for free and compulsory education. Facilitating education while ignoring its quality will further increase the number of literates on the list of unemployed.
In spite of erupted marks and range matters of concern, this time has been the position of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada Districts. The districts which always competed for first and second place in SSLC results have satisfied itself with 13th and 20th positions. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts which were regarded “Buddhivantara Jille” is now highly known for communal violence. The recent eruption of the hijab row too is blamed for the Udupi’s declined position.
As a duty to our State and with the zeal to bring back the unity of our Districts let us instil the spirit of common brotherhood and develop the scientific temperament among our students and residents by infusing a qualitative and comprehensive means of education.
