Faulty evaluation costs student SSLC top spot

Sheer indifference on the part of evaluators has cost a student at Adichunchanagiri High School here the top spot in the SSLC examination held in April.

Prerana M R should have been awarded 623 marks out of 625 but the evaluators who checked her science answer sheet gave her 98 instead of the 100 she deserved. Thus, she was awarded 621 marks, forcing her to be content with the second spot that she shares with two other students — Nagarjuna K of Bangalore and Manvitha M K of Mangalore. The topper is Sudheendra M of Bangalore who scored 622 marks.

Prerana scored a perfect 125 in Sanskrit, 100 each in mathematics and English, 99 marks each in Kannada and Social Studies and 98 in Science. But going by her answer sheets and the model answers provided by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB), she not only deserves a 100 in science but also first rank, her father M V Raveendranath insisted.

“My daughter had written correct answers for four objective-type questions in the match-the-following format, but she was awarded only two marks. Each correct answer carries one mark and she should have been given four marks,” he told Deccan Herald.

Raveendranath added that Prerana’s correct answers were marked wrong by evaluators.
According to a teacher from the school, evaluators may have marked wrong two correct answers unknowingly as the order of questions vary. “She certainly deserved 100 marks in science as her answers were accurate. We are disappointed that she missed the first rank,” the teacher said.

Raveendranath termed the issue as “really disgusting.” Prerana’s school obtained a photocopy of her answer scripts and applied for revaluation when her teachers said she had been denied two marks despite answering questions correctly.

“But the KSEEB refused to rectify the mistake and claimed the evaluation was error-free. We did everything we could. Now, it’s up to the officials concerned to take notice of the matter,” Raveendranath said, adding that he did not intend to approach the court.

“But my point is that such mistakes should not be repeated, as they can be too dangerous. Sensitive students may resort to extreme steps. I’m glad my daughter is not disturbed,” he said. Prerana said she was disappointed by the result. “But I’m confident of getting justice,” she said.

According to reliable sources, a letter was sent to the Principal Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education from the office of the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Kimmane Ratnakar who is also District in-charge Minister, seeking accurate revaluation of Prerana’s science answer sheet. The KSEEB Director, however, reportedly insisted that the evaluation was accurate.