“Many clearing SSLC could barely read or write”, says Saji Cherian, education minister disagree
Alappuzha : Taking a direct swipe at the secondary education system of the state, Kerala Cultural minister Saji Cherian has stepped up on an already raging issue by remarking that ‘Many students who passed the SSLC exams could barely read or write’.
The remarks made at a function in a school in Alappuzha has acquired the contours of a controversy with Education minister V Shivankutty saying that the statement was not factually true and added that the state school education system is robust and constantly modified.
Cherian said many years ago, it was tough to even score the minimum pass mark in the SSLC exam, but as of today, everybody was clearing the examination, making it more or less like a ‘Pass for All’ exam and thus lowering the standards of the examination.
Saji Cherian said, “Now almost everyone appearing for the SSLC is clearing it. The pass percentage stands at 99.99%. However, many students do not know how to read and write properly”.
“The younger generation seems isolated from their immediate environs and could not even identify Cows and Buffaloes”. However, he further stated that Shivankutty was aware of the anomalies in the current education system and would rectify them.
However, Education minister V Shivankutty disagreed with the statement and made it clear that secondary education system in the state is one of the leading among the country.
“Kerala will not compromise on academic excellence. Kerala still ranks first in the Centre’s development indices in terms of school education,” he noted.
Shivankutty also said an unnecessary controversy has been brewing over some remarks made by Cherian. “If you listen to the entire speech, it is clear that he has expressed his opinion to take the public education sector to a higher level,” he added. He also listed various initiatives being taken up by his department to better the school education system in the state.
The pass percentage of 99.69 per cent was registered in the Class 10 Secondary School Leaving Certificate examinations in Kerala for the academic year 2023-24 when the results were announced last month.
A total of 4,25,563 students cleared the examination for an overall pass percentage of 99.69 per cent, officials said.
The remarks made at a function in a school in Alappuzha has acquired the contours of a controversy with Education minister V Shivankutty saying that the statement was not factually true and added that the state school education system is robust and constantly modified. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
