Punjab Board lowers Pass Percentage, keeps aggregate unchanged

 

In an unprecedented move, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has lowered the pass percentage from 33% to 20% in theory and practical of each subject. However, the students are required to get 33% as the pass percentage in aggregate of theory and practical.

At present, the new rule applies to only classes 5^th, 8^th and 10^th.

It has been claimed that though the theory and practical pass percentages have been lowered separately, the students will still have to get more than 20% marks either in theory or practical of any subject to attain the total 33% aggregate, which is the main condition for passing in a subject in PSEB.

The marks of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) will also be added to the 33% marks (aggregate). This move by PSEB can also be seen as a step closer to the CBSE passing marks.

The move will be implemented from the upcoming exams which are scheduled to begin in March. However, no official announcement has been made for Class 12^th.

Mulakh Raj, President Nawanshahr of Democratic Teacher Front (DTF), said. “This is an attempt to enhance the pass percentage under the Punjab Board because even if a student has to get the required 20% marks only or a little more to reach the aggregate of 33%, individual percentage in theory and practical would still remain less than that of the earlier 33% passing marks.”

While talking about the new change, Kuldip Singh Daurka, General Secretary of Government Teachers Union Punjab, said, “If one Board is following the wrong practice, why are we going after that rather than straightening the education system.”

As per the CBSE pattern, the students have to get a minimum of 33% marks in aggregate. There’s no condition of securing the minimum passing marks in theory and practical like the Punjab Board’s new norm.

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