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Dubbing the existing system of conducting the second PU and SSLC examinations thrice ‘unscientific’, the Karnataka State Pre-University College Lecturers’ Association has written to the Department of Education and School Literacy to do away with the third exam.
In its letter to the Principal Secretary of the department, the association pointed to the decline in the pass percentage in the 2025 examinations. “Compared to the results in 2024, the pass percentage dropped by five points in 2025.
The introduction of the third exam to help students clear the key tests has not resulted in a positive outcome,” the association wrote.
Furthermore, the three-examination policy was exerting immense pressure on all stakeholders, from students to teachers, and parents. “The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has to conduct the second and third round of exams for SSLC students in a span of 20 days. How can a student who has studied the entire year and has yet failed be expected to pass when given only 20 days to read,” asked the association.
On the other hand, high-school teachers, citing recent reports on KSEAB’s plans to adopt the CBSE system for SSLC examinations, said, “If the board proceeds with its plans, and reduces the passing mark, it will eliminate the need for three exams. The objective behind holding three exams was to improve results, and reduces stress on students. The adoption of the CBSE system will invariably reduce stress,” said a senior teacher at a government high-school in Bengaluru.
But department officials said that there were no plans to shelve the three-examination system. “We have the Chief Minister’s directions to achieve 75% results in SSLC exams, and till then, the three-exam system will remain in place,” said an official.