Karnataka Education Department Ends Grace Marks for Class 10 Exams

Grace marks for SSLC (Class 10) exams would no longer be given, as declared by Karnataka's Minister of School Education, Madhu Bangarappa, on Wednesday. This follows criticism from various quarters, including associations representing private school administrators, some students, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

During a press conference, Bangarappa outlined the measures put in place to prevent exam cheating, such as webcasting and live streaming of exams. He underlined that since exams are now more transparent and devoid of cheating, pupils no longer require grace marks.

"We reduced the amount of copying during exams last year because of the changes we made to the testing process. Now that the system is in place, the students are completely aware of it, and they are not afraid or confused. Therefore, the requirement to provide grace marks has been eliminated," the minister stated.

Bangarappa further noted that the department's earlier choices on the awarding of grace marks had been met with disapproval from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Bangarappa disclosed that, during a review meeting a few months prior, "the Chief Minister was also upset with us."

Siddaramaiah ordered the department to stop using grace marks during the meeting and questioned the justification for the practice. In order to improve results, which had decreased by 30% as a result of tougher anti-malpractice measures including web casting, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) granted 20% grace marks in the March/April 2024 SSLC exams.

Approximately 1.70 lakh failing students were promoted as a result, and the pass percentage rose by 20% overall. It was explained by officials that of the 20 percent grace marks, 10 percent were added during the Covid-19 epidemic and the remaining 10 percent were awarded because of the new changes. But according to the minister's announcement, starting this year, even the 10% grace that was instituted during the pandemic would be eliminated. Bangarappa continued by saying he would like to talk further about the issue in a future meeting with the Chief Minister.