Pune: In a move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP), the Maharashtra State Education Department has proposed a significant change to the 10th-grade (SSC) examination process.

Under this new guideline, students scoring between 20 and 35 marks in Mathematics and Science will now be eligible for admission to 11th grade, even if they do not meet the traditional passing score of 35 marks.

The proposed change comes as part of a broader curriculum framework developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), which has received final approval from the state government’s steering committee.

This new framework is expected to benefit students who struggle with Mathematics and Science, subjects that are commonly feared and often lead to failure.

According to the current system, students must score a minimum of 35 marks in all subjects to pass the SSC exam. However, the proposed change will allow students who score between 20 and 35 marks in Mathematics and Science to move ahead with their education, provided they do not wish to pursue these subjects in the future.

A remark will be added to their marksheet specifying that they cannot take up Mathematics or Science-based subjects in 11th grade or beyond unless they pass the supplementary exams.

A Step Towards Reducing Dropout Rates

Education experts explained that this change could reduce the number of students who drop out of school after failing 10th grade, particularly in technical subjects like Mathematics and Science.

“Many students who fail in these subjects end up leaving education altogether. With this new system, those who do not wish to pursue higher studies in these subjects can still continue their education. For those aiming to pursue Mathematics or Science in higher studies, they can take supplementary exams and qualify,” experts said.

In addition to changes in the SSC exam passing criteria, the state education board is also considering introducing more student-friendly examination methods.

This includes the possibility of conducting open-book exams, using objective-type questions, and implementing OMR sheets for certain exams. For subjects like Mathematics, the board may also allow students to use log tables and calculators to ease the pressure.

However, education authorities emphasize the need to ensure these measures do not negatively affect students' fundamental mathematical skills.