Mass failures in Class 9 exams, schools blame sudden pressure after Class 8

The result of annual exams of Class 9 were declared on Monday according to which a large number of students got compartments in various subjects including maths, science and social studies and the schools are blaming the continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) system for it all.

The result of annual exams of Class 9 were declared on Monday according to which a large number of students got compartments in various subjects including maths, science and social studies and the schools are blaming the continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) system for it all.

The result is yet to be complied by the UT education department but the school principals have submitted their respective result sheets to deputy DPI (schools), Chanchal Singh who has also got the additional charge of district education officer as well.

The CCE system was introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in 2009 with the enactment of the Right to Education (RTE) Act aimed at holistic development among students. Under the CCE system, student's marks are replaced by grades which are then evaluated through a series of curricular and extra-curricular evaluations along with academics through the year.

As per the system, the schools cannot fail students until Class 8 and therefore the shock and pressure that come with Class 9 get too much for the students to cope with. They need a minimum of 25% score in the theory segment in addition to the regular projects they are assigned. Hence, many find it difficult to even clear the exams let alone excel them, as has happened again this time.

Even the city's top most government schools were unable hit the 100% result while a few schools in the periphery areas continue to disappoint.

In GMSSS-16, only 80% students appearing in Class 9 exam could pass which means 20% students have failed. About 9% students in GMSSS-10 could not clear the exams and in GHS -Hallomajra only 52% students could clear the exams this time. In Khuda Jassu GMMS, around 85 % students could clear the exam in the first attempt.

"I think the main reason behind the failure is the abrupt pressure in the Class 9. According to RTE guideline no student can be detained by the school till Class 8 and in Class 9, the CCE system puts loads of pressure on the student as he/she have to get at least 25% marks in theory in both the school assessment terms. This is ultimately putting them under a lot of stress," said a principal.

A few principals claimed that earlier students used to put in genuine efforts and looked forward to the results but now it is like any other class test and not taken seriously.

"It is really disturbing to see 40% weight given to projects. Students waste a lot of time in the projects when they can study in that time. Moreover, till Class 8 where there is no stress on them, they cannot be expected to study with required sincerity in suddenly in Class 9. I think education ministry should abolish this CCE system or else students would continue to fail in large proportions," said a principal.
"Moreover, this time the question papers set by CBSE were really difficult to attempt for the students," added the principal.

The students who have failed in the first attempt will be given another attempt to clear their compartments and if they do not pass in the second attempt either, they will be detained in the same class.
According to the sources, a few students who got compartments this time were among the detainees in the same class last year as well.