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In Jharkhand, 72% fail Class 12 Science, even Minister’s children
Political instability, corruption and Maoist terror have been Jharkhand’s bane since it came into being a decade ago. Now the state grapples with a new problem, one that threatens its very future — a dramatic slide in the performance of students at the Plus Two level, especially Science.
Of the 2.93 lakh students who took the state intermediate examination (Plus Two) conducted by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) this year, less than 1.25 lakh have been successful — the failure rate more than 55 per cent. In Science, the pass percentage has been a dismal 28 per cent.
Among the students who failed — the results came in three days ago — are the son and daughter of state Human Resource Minister Baidhnath Ram.
Asked about the pass percentage, Principal Secretary (HRD) Mridula Sinha attributed it to “efforts to improve quality of education” in Jharkhand.
“We have tightened screws at all levels. As a result, there has been little scope for manipulation and cheating. Now we plan to select meritorious teachers who will teach with passion,” Sinha said.
Minister Ram had a similar take: “Had I used unfair means, my children would not have failed.”
Questions are already being asked about the falling standards, especially in Science where the pass percentage has been dropping consistently — 50% (2009), 30% (2010), 28% (2011).
Compare this with neighbouring Bihar where the pass percentage in Science this year was 90 per cent. Or, Assam’s 87.3%, Kerala’s 83.4%, Punjab’s 78%, Gujarat’s 69.2%, Mumbai’s 88.7%, MP’s 66.1%, UP’s 65.2% and Karnataka’s 64.9%.
Political instability, corruption and Maoist terror have been Jharkhand’s bane since it came into being a decade ago. Now the state grapples with a new problem, one that threatens its very future — a dramatic slide in the performance of students at the Plus Two level, especially Science.
Of the 2.93 lakh students who took the state intermediate examination (Plus Two) conducted by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) this year, less than 1.25 lakh have been successful — the failure rate more than 55 per cent. In Science, the pass percentage has been a dismal 28 per cent.
Among the students who failed — the results came in three days ago — are the son and daughter of state Human Resource Minister Baidhnath Ram.
Asked about the pass percentage, Principal Secretary (HRD) Mridula Sinha attributed it to “efforts to improve quality of education” in Jharkhand.
“We have tightened screws at all levels. As a result, there has been little scope for manipulation and cheating. Now we plan to select meritorious teachers who will teach with passion,” Sinha said.
Minister Ram had a similar take: “Had I used unfair means, my children would not have failed.”
Questions are already being asked about the falling standards, especially in Science where the pass percentage has been dropping consistently — 50% (2009), 30% (2010), 28% (2011).
Compare this with neighbouring Bihar where the pass percentage in Science this year was 90 per cent. Or, Assam’s 87.3%, Kerala’s 83.4%, Punjab’s 78%, Gujarat’s 69.2%, Mumbai’s 88.7%, MP’s 66.1%, UP’s 65.2% and Karnataka’s 64.9%.
