Compromised Education System

In lieu of the following recent revelations?

- Sowmya Iyer

Responses from Rupamala Singh – Prinicipal, Hayde Heritage Academy

A CNN News 18 data analysis shows that whereas 190,000 students were given 95% marks in CBSE and ICSE exams, nobody got any marks between 91 to 94. The practice of bumping up marks has not been started this year, but has been going on ever since 2008.

The Bihar marks scam shows that it was possible to secure marks or even top any exam for years based on bribes paid. There was established a nexus between the owner of VR College, Vaishali, and the state board chief which made it possible to top the board in a subject by paying a bribe of ₹80,000 However, there is also a state subsidy story that promotes high marking. The state pays ₹3000 to schools for every student who passes the 12th board, ₹5000 for students who get first class and ₹20,000 for toppers. Bihar may not be the only state.

The fact that 99 per cent is being given in English to thousands of students in schools is a national fraud. As a result of this, the cut-off percentage for Lady Shri Ram has risen to 98.25 per cent in 2015 from 97 per cent two years earlier and in Gargi College to 97 per cent from 90-94 percentage band in 2013. The Hindu and Miranda House which had already crossed the 97 per cent threshold two years back decided to maintain the status quo at 97.75 per cent and 97.5 per cent respectively, tinkering with the second digits, that would have reduced eligibility of a few thousand students to apply for the course. Unfortunately, most of those who score 99 per cent in English would find it daunting to clear the GRE or TOEFL.