The All-India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) has strongly opposed the Government’s decision of introducing gradation system in Matriculation examination from this year.
At a Press meet on Thursday, AIDSO State president Akshay Das and secretary Shibasis Praharaj pointed out that the gradation system would ruin the foundation of education and support creation of a uniform educational market for the benefit of investors.
“The Government’s view that the gradation system in lieu of the prevailing division system will lessen the mental pressure of the students and number of suicide cases entailed by failure in the examination is ridiculous,” they said.
As per the gradation system, students securing 21-32 per cent and 0-20 per cent will come under ‘H’ and ‘I’ grades, respectively. The certificate will contain a remark of ‘Not satisfactory’ instead of ‘Fail’, but the students will not be able to take admission in colleges.
Failure in the examination is not the only reason for the students to commit suicide; uncertainty in getting opportunity for higher education and employment in future force them to take the drastic step. Thus, the problem would not be solved only by introducing gradation system, they added.
“The middle class background students will evince less interest in education, resulting in deterioration of educational foundation. Besides, there will be possibility that students getting H and I grade may not have the chance to again appear at the examination,” they added.
The AIDSO also said that before taking any such decision, the Government should hold discussions with students, educationalists and teachers from the block to State levels. The students’ body called upon pupils, intellectuals, educationalists and teachers to protest against such move of the Government.