Unexpected high scores in Odisha Matric Exams a reason to worry

The Board of Secondary Education (BSE) Odisha announced the much-awaited results of the annual high school certificate (HSC) offline examinations on Wednesday. Many students came out with flying colours, however, the results have taken everyone by surprise.

Of all, the results have raised serious concerns over Plus 2 admissions.

Owing to Covid condition, the Board had implemented a new method of mark assessment. As per BSE, 90.55 per cent of students have passed the class 10 exam making it the state's record highest scoring percentage. 

Students scored marks much more than they had expected. Several students have even scored 100 out of 100 in the language subjects.

Sivram Patra, a meritorious student of Nilakantha Saraswati Sishu Bidya Mandir in Berhampur, has scored 100 out of 100 in subjects including English, Social Science, Odia language as well as in Hindi. Of the total 600 marks in six subjects, he scored 598. 

This is not the only incident; even Pratyush Kumar Das of Saraswati Sishu Bidya Mandir in Unit 8, Bhubaneswar also has scored 100 marks in Odia language as well as Sanskrit.

Several questions have been raised over such mark assessment. The list of questions includes, how is it possible to score full marks in language subjects, what is the base behind such mark assessment if BSE has opted for relaxation during mark assessment for language subjects like CBSE? Even, questions have been raised, if the students scored such marks due to internal exam and two summative assessment result weightage or if such error has popped up for adopting the method of doubling the objective mark.

As per educationists, the new method of mark assessment is the reason behind students scoring such unbelievable marks.

"It is impossible to score full marks in English, Social Science and Language subjects. The students can't score full marks in long questions, essay writing, letter writing, etc. This year, the method of mark assessment has changed in which the objective marks scored by students have been overlooked and they scored full marks after the subjective marks were doubled," said S Mohan Rao, an educationists

On the other hand, educationists have also expressed concerns that the matriculation pass percentage will pop up massive problems during plus 2 admissions. Will the students get seats in finer colleges or not?

As many as 8119 students have scored A1 grade which is over 90 per cent. Apart from that, around 25000 students from CBSE and ICSE get enrolled for Plus 2 in different colleges. 

Considering such conditions, the competition for admissions will be tough in top government colleges like BJB, Ramadevi and Ravenshaw. 

A similar situation will likely pop up in colleges in remote areas of the state. Many students show interest in getting enrolled in nearby colleges. So, many students won't get the chance to get admission to nearby colleges due to limited seats and higher pass percentages. Even dropout percentage may also increase. Under such circumstances, demands have been raised to increase the seats at colleges. 

However, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash assured that no such problems will come up during admissions as the colleges have an ample number of seats.

"The results are more than satisfying for all and many have scored over 90 per cent. Maybe, there will be a crisis in getting seats in good colleges. It will be better if seats at the colleges will be increased," said Bhagyashri Rath, a student.

Similarly, Manas Behera, a lecturer at Rama Devi University, said, "Students will most likely face issues during admissions this year. The students who have scored over 90 per cent will certainly apply at good colleges. There are limited seats in good colleges, and everyone won't get a seat. To address such situations, I hope, the mass education ministry will take the required steps." 

On the other hand, Education Minister Dash said, "The colleges have limited seats and the students who have scored high will get admissions. Last year, the pass percentage was 97 per cent and the number of seats increased in the colleges. So, there will be no problem during admissions in colleges."

It is pertinent to mention here that, over 2000 junior colleges across the state have around 4, 43, 000 seats. Meanwhile, 5, 17, 847 students have passed the BSE's matriculation exams. Of the total, some will go for skill education.