Drastic fall in students appearing for Class 12 board exam alarms academicians

The latest Performance and Statistical Information report prepared by Directorate of Examination revealed that the number of students who registered to appear for board exams plunged to 7.99 lakh in 2020 from more than 9.33 lakh in 2017 – a decline of around 1.34 lakh. The fall was consistent since 2017 – 9.07 lakh in 2018 and 8.69 in 2019.

The report also showed that the decline was more among boys. From about 4.15 lakh applicants in 2017, it dropped to 3.55 lakh this year. In comparison, the fall was lesser among girls: from 4.78 lakh in 2017 to 4.24 lakh in 2020.

The trend was seen not only in the general stream, but in the vocal stream as well. There were 65,210 applicants for vocational exams in 2017, but only 51,416 in 2020.

According to academicians, one reason for this drop is the practice followed by many private schools across Tamil Nadu to send off poor performers after Class 11 examinations every year to ensure that the overall pass percentage did not suffer.

As per the statistics from the School Education Department, there are about 12,900 schools across the State at present that cater to more than 60 lakh students.

However, a senior official from the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) said the decline in the number of students appearing for Class 12 board exam was because many opt for polytechnic courses after Class 10.

But Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Association president PK Ilamaran blamed it on private schools filtering "poor performing" students, and also increasing dropout rate at private schools.

"The government should look into the issue immediately and find out exact reasons for the decline in the number of students appearing for Class 12 board exams," he said. The authorities should take strict action against the schools that drop low performing students for 100% results, he added.

State Platform for Common School System — Tamil Nadu (SPCSS-TN) general secretary PB Prince Gajendra Babu said government should constitute a separate wing to look into cases of ‘forced’ dropouts in private schools.