Panaji: The first Class X batch after implementation of changes under the National Education Policy (NEP) saw 94.5% clear the public exam of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, results for which were declared on Sunday. Last year, 95.3% had passed the state board Class X exam, and this year witnessed a minor dip in pass percentage.
Board Chairperson Comments on Results
Goa board chairperson Bhagirath Shetye attributed the slight drop in pass percentage to normal fluctuations and said it is a combination of "various reasons". Altogether, 20,618 appeared for the Class X exam this year and it was cleared by 19,486 students—9,414 girls and 10,072 boys. While the girls registered a pass percentage of 96.5%, the exam saw 94.4% boys pass.
Changes Under NEP
This was the first batch where the students studied 10 subjects, of which six were regular subjects, consisting of three languages, mathematics, science, and social science, and four were skill-based subjects like physical education, art, etc. While students were assessed for skill-based subjects by schools (except for physical education and National Skills Qualification Framework), students answered board exams for the six regular subjects. "This is the first batch answering Class X under NEP. Students have largely done well. But there are some cases where the students have done well in the skill-based subjects and could not clear the board assessment subjects. It happens when a student takes a skill-based subject like theatre or art in which he or she may have a great interest and does well. But is not able to perform the same way in regular subjects and, therefore, could not pass the exam," said Shetye.
Social Studies Performance
He said that another change implemented for the batch was under NEP students had to answer a single question paper of three hours for social studies covering history and geography. But students performed better than expected with 72 students scoring cent per cent marks. However, data shows that the subject had one of the lower pass percentages of 94.5%.
Mathematics Results
The lowest pass percentage was recorded in the subject of basic mathematics at 91.4%. In comparison, those who chose the standard mathematics subject saw a pass percentage of 99.7%. Shetye said that the choice was offered some years ago to students to opt for basic mathematics if they do not wish to pursue the subject for higher education. He said around 4,500 opted for basic mathematics, while 16,000 chose standard mathematics. "The syllabus remains the same for both subjects, but there are more tough questions in the standard mathematics question paper," said Shetye.
Concessions and Exam Logistics
Shetye said that the Board offered concessions like allowing students to answer their beds in five cases this year at the Class X exam as they met with an accident. He said that the examination was conducted through 32 exam centres and the assessment centres were increased to eight this year, helping declare the result for the second time in a row within a record time of 14 days this year.
School Performance
The Class X exam was held from March 13 to April 9 for students of 410 secondary schools, of which saw 178 getting 100% results. Of 78 govt schools, 34 recorded cent per cent results, said Shetye. He said one of the remotest exam centres of Netravalli saw 141 of 146 students clear the Class X exam.
