65 lakh students fail 10th, 12th board exams in 2023: What really went wrong?

Why 65 lakh students couldn’t pass their 10th, 12th board exams

The alarming news that over 65 lakh students across the country failed their Class 10 and 12 board exams last year raises urgent questions about the current state of education. According to a Ministry of Education report, state boards recorded higher failure rates than national boards, with students in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh being the most affected.

In an exclusive interview with Praneet Mungali, Trustee & Secretary of Sanskriti Group Schools, we explored the factors behind this troubling trend and the road to recovery for India’s education system.

Learning Deficit in a Post-Pandemic World

“The pandemic created a learning deficit that will take years to recover from,” says Mungali. With education disrupted for nearly two to three academic years, many students missed out on foundational learning. Catching up, especially for those in critical board exam years, is proving to be a major challenge.

The Digital Divide

“Older students were quicker to adapt to the virtual learning ecosystem, but younger students struggled,” explains Mungali. The uneven access to technology and internet resources in rural and urban areas exacerbated the problem. While some students thrived in online classes, many were left behind, widening the learning gap even further.

A Need for Standardization

Another pressing issue is the lack of uniformity between state and central boards. “While the NEP 2020 promotes regional language education, there’s a need for some standardization across boards,” says Mungali. He points out that different states and national boards have varying curricula, with some leaning towards language proficiency while others focus on fundamental subjects.

Varying Syllabi, Varying Outcomes

The contrasting syllabi between CBSE, ICSE, and state boards also contribute to the inconsistent academic outcomes. “ICSE’s focus on English language and project work is starkly different from CBSE’s core subject emphasis, while state boards often present even more variance in difficulty,” Mungali adds. This lack of a uniform academic level across the country further complicates student success rates.

What’s Next?

Mungali expresses cautious optimism, stating, “The Ministry of Education is now aware of these discrepancies and is working towards a more unified academic ecosystem.” However, recovery will not happen overnight. The next few years will determine how effectively the system can bounce back and whether future students will have better chances of success.

This report serves as a wake-up call to educators, policymakers, and parents. The education system, still reeling from the impact of the pandemic, must adapt quickly to prevent future generations from suffering the same fate.