After adopting online mode, a year ago, for carrying out several examination procedures like registration, digital mark sheets including online grievances redressal mechanism system, the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC), this year, has come up with more initiatives to increase the overall pass percentage in the State Board examinations.
Considering the previous year’s record which showed a massive dip in Matriculation and Intermediate examinations, the examination conducting body has introduced the concept of model test paper series, multipurpose examination halls at all the five commissionaires, smart surveillance systems –installation of CCTV cameras at the examination centers and setting up of centralized control rooms (CCR), OMR sheets, helpline number including academic calendar.
“For the first time, the model test paper series of all core subjects have been uploaded on the official website of JAC. Beginning with class 8, the model test papers are available up to standard 12. Within a few days, another set of model test papers for class 11 will be uploaded on the council’s website,” said Chairperson – JAC, Arvind Prasad.
“Soon, each division will get a multipurpose modern examination hall. The Council has come up with the proposal of establishing five multipurpose examination halls at all the commissionaires. With all state-of-the-art facilities, the multipurpose halls will be utilised for conducting training sessions for the teachers and scrutinizing answer scripts. The plan had recently received the consent of finance committee of the council,” he added.
Notably, despite the attempts of the Department of School Education and Literacy, GoJ including the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC), a continuous declining trend is seen in both matriculation and intermediate results. The figures released by the Council in 2018 suggested that out of 4,28,389 students who appeared for the Matriculation examination, merely 2,54,830 students were able to clear the test, bringing the pass percentage down to 59.48 per cent, worst in six years, since 2012. Similarly, the pass percentage in Inter (Science, Commerce) registered a massive dip in 2018.
“Taking into the account, the dipping pass percentage and in an attempt to hone the skills of the students, board examination for class 8 students will be conducted this year, including introduction of OMR based answer sheets for standard 8, 9 and 11,” added Prasad.
The upcoming board examination is slated from February 20, 2019 and will continue till March 9. In accordance to the data released by the Council, 7, 54,724 students from across the State will take the board examination, this year.
“The Council is on the last leg of preparations. The practical examinations will begin from February 1. As many as 1,200 examination centers have been demarcated across the State. Approximately, 7,154 students have increased in Matriculation while 1,577 students have decreased in class 12, considering all the three streams,” JAC chairperson added.