The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education is making waves with its proposed changes to the school curriculum framework, specifically targeting the subjects of Mathematics and Science. In a move aimed at alleviating student stress and preventing dropouts, the board has suggested reducing the minimum passing marks for these subjects from the current 35% to 20%. While this may appear as a welcome relief for students struggling with these subjects, the proposal has ignited a debate about potential ramifications on academic standards.
Under the proposed system, students achieving the new passing mark of 20% will be marked as ‘passed’ on their mark sheets, but a special note will be added indicating their inability to pursue further studies in mathematics or science. This raises concerns about the impact on higher education prospects and the potential for creating a false sense of achievement.
However, officials have clarified that this change is still in the proposal stage and will be finalized only when the rollout of the State Curriculum Framework-School Education (SCF – SE) reaches its final stages, which is expected to be a few years away. The implementation of the new curriculum across the state will also be crucial before the new passing marks come into effect.
Sharad Gosavi, the chairman of the board, has stated that the new curriculum will be implemented soon, and the passing marks will be lowered only upon its implementation. Rahul Rekhawar, the director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), has emphasized that the change is designed to protect students from failing the class 10th examinations due to Mathematics and Science, ensuring that they are not unfairly pushed out of the education system. He further explained that students have the option to appear for supplementary exams and regular exams in the following year to improve their performance and obtain a new mark sheet.
The proposal has received positive feedback from academics and school teachers who believe that the fear of mathematics has been a significant factor contributing to stress among students. Mahendra Ganpule, a former head of the Maharashtra School Principals’ Association, has expressed support for the change, highlighting that students will be able to proceed to higher levels without being stuck at Class 10, potentially leading to a drop in their education. While the proposed change aims to address a critical issue of student stress and potential dropouts, it remains to be seen if it will ultimately achieve its intended goal without compromising the quality of education. The debate surrounding this proposal will likely continue as the new curriculum unfolds and its impact on students and the education system becomes clearer.