Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board which came into existence in the year 1966, has been conducting the SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) exams and other examinations. The SSLC exam is conducted for students at the end of Class 10. It is an important exam for every student as the future of a student appearing for SSLC depends on the marks scored in this exam. Admissions to junior colleges or schools to further pursue higher studies are based on this exam.

The Karnataka SSLC is typically held once a year starting in the first week of April and the supplementary exams are typically held in June every year. The exam has seen a positive response with the number of students appearing for the exam increasing year on year. For the academic year ending April 2011 about 8.73 lakh students appeared for the SSLC examinations in Karnataka.

The Karnataka SSLC exam follows a three language scheme wherein the vernacular language is compulsory, and apart from the same students can opt for two other languages along with Mathematics, Science and Social Sciences. The SSLC like all other State boards, is state centric and is the ideal solution for families which intend to spend their entire lives in the state. The syllabus is typically easier and less stressful as compared to both the central boards, namely ICSE and CBSE.

The SSLC board has fewer subjects that are studied in comparison to its other counterparts. Thus students studying through the SSLC find academic life easier. While the syllabus is similar to that of ICSE and CBSE the coverage is more cursory and therefore less intensive. For example, while recording historical events an SSLC book may cover battles and movements in a few lines, a CBSE course book would go into details and cover it across a few pages. Therefore SSLC becomes a board of choice for students who need to focus on extracurricular activities as there is lower academic pressure giving more time to the child.

In terms of getting admissions into prestigious colleges in the state the board is equivalent to both CBSE and ICSE and is treated at par with the others. A reputation that dogs the SSLC board and is often also associated with CBSE and ICSE is that it propagates learning by rote.

A student who is able to memorise and reproduce the maximum information will score the highest marks. This is an inherent flaw in the current education system and is reflected in the Karnataka SSLC. Unfortunately the SSLC does not recognise student inclinations and students have to study Math, Science and Social Sciences irrespective of their interests in these areas.

In conclusion the SSLC board on paper is equivalent to other boards. However, the studies are less intensive and have detailing of a lower level. The SSLC should thus be preferred by candidates who need to focus on extra curricular activities of by candidates looking to take up state government jobs and spend the rest of their lives in the state as here they will have a vernacular language advantage.

(The writer is mentor, Indus World School — Career Launcher)

Write to us

Given a choice, which school board would you prefer for your child? And why? Write to us at dheducation@deccanherald.co.in, in not more than 250 words, to reach us by May 5, 2011. We will publish some of the best responses we get in a subsequent issue of Education.