The Department of School Education and Literacy in Karnataka is planning to introduce centralized annual exams for classes 9 and 11 in state board affiliated schools starting from the current academic year. This move is similar to the practices in Gujarat and Kerala. The decision is aimed at preparing students for the SSLC (10th) and second PUC (12th) board exams scheduled for the next year. The centralised exams will be set by the Karnataka State Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB), with evaluations taking place at the school and taluk levels. The proposal is awaiting approval from School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa and the government.
The goal behind this examination reform is to bridge learning gaps among high school students and improve their learning outcomes, which have suffered according to various assessment reports. The centralised exams aim to enhance students’ performance gradually, without detaining them if they fail to meet the passing mark. The education department assures that this reform is designed to be student-friendly and improve learning outcomes.
Officials believe that the question papers for classes 9 and 11 will be more competency-based, focusing on the application of knowledge. The standardization of question papers and the implementation of uniformity are key factors in introducing the centralised annual exams.
It is worth noting that last year, the school education department faced criticism when they introduced annual exams for classes 5 and 8. The move resulted in legal challenges from private school management associations, although the government was eventually allowed to conduct the exams. The court directed that students who fail should receive necessary training and remedial classes to improve their skills without detention.
Additionally, as part of the examination reforms, the Karnataka government has ordered that 20 marks be considered internal for subjects without practical examinations in the first and second PU (pre-university) from the academic year 2023-24. This means the evaluation for such subjects will be based on 20 marks internal assessment and 80 marks theoretical assessment.
The proposed centralised annual exams for classes 9 and 11 aim to streamline the assessment process, ensure quality question papers, and improve learning outcomes among high school students in Karnataka. However, the final decision and implementation are yet to be confirmed.
