KOLKATA: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education has after almost 17 years increased the cut-off in certain subjects for a student to take up science based-elective subjects in Class XI. The minimum percentage has been increased from 34% to 45%. The last revision was in 2004.
Principals and teachers of government and government-aided schools said the cut-off has been raised as 100% Madhyamik candidates this year passed and more than 90% scored a first division. After Madhyamik was cancelled due to the pandemic, the final scores were calculated, based on a formula, considering Class IX annual exam and Class X internal test marks.
But the revised percentage might not affect students this year owing to the high scores and almost all are expected to meet the criteria. “Almost every student this year is likely to qualify for the 45% cut-off this year as Madhyamik was not held and marks were awarded based on Class IX annual exam and Class X internal exams,” said Hardas Ghatak, president of Advance Society for Headmaster & Headmistresses. “But next year or whenever exams are held next, this new criteria will mean many students may not qualify for those subjects. The council must review the decision.”
West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education on Wednesday also published dates for Class XI admissions. Schools will admit their own students between August 2 and 14. Students from other schools will be admitted between August 16 and 31.
This year, almost 11 lakh students cleared Madhyamik but higher secondary does not have so many seats. “Fewer seats will lead to difficulty in accommodating all the students. Schools up to Class X can’t be upgraded to Class XII overnight. Those with HS classes can take in only a handful,” said Saugata Basu, general secretary, West Bengal Government Teachers’ Association.
