100% mandatory pass in SSC, inter exams draws flak

Critics say the policy puts pressure on both students and teachers

- K Kalyan Krishna Kumar @ Vijayawada

The Statewide mandate for a 100% pass rate in Intermediate and SSC exams has drawn sharp criticism from educators, student organisations, and mental health professionals, who call it unrealistic and harmful.

Critics argue that the policy, influenced by private managements and government authorities, exerts excessive pressure on students and teachers, compromises academic integrity, and fosters cheating, stress, and even suicides. Teachers highlight that students have varying intellectual capacities, making universal success impractical. They point to past instances where 100% pass rates were achieved through lenient examination practices and biased evaluations.