Mita Mukherjee

The number of examinees who have scored more than 90 per cent has decreased considerably in almost all subjects in state Madhyamik 2023 (Class X) examinations, the results of which were declared on May 19.

Heads of several schools said their students have performed “very poorly” in physical sciences, mathematics and history.

The overall pass percentage has been recorded at 86.15 per cent this year while it was marginally higher last year, 86.60 per cent.

Figures provided by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), that conducts the examination showed a dip in numbers of AA Grade holders (90 to 100 per cent marks) in almost all the major subjects.

This year a total of  12,951 students were placed in the AA Grade in mathematics whereas in the 2022 exam 39,386 candidates obtained the highest grade.

In physical science the number of AA Grade scorers has reduced from 24,051 in 2022 to 17,357 in the current year’s exam. In history,  only 9223 candidates scored the highest AA Grade, whereas in 2022, as many as 14,523 examinees scored 90 per cent and above marks.

A quick analysis of the results of individual schools too showed that the overall performance of students was “satisfactory” but the number of high scorers – 90 per cent and above” are less than the previous years. In some schools the numbers of high performers in science and mathematics were lowest in the past 10 years. Though, many schools saw 100 per cent success of students, the school said.

 Ramanuj Ganguly, WBBSE president, admitted that the overall success rate has “slightly” declined  and many schools have complained about a decrease in the number of high performers compared with previous years.

“ The results were declared only today. We have not done an analysis of the results. We will definitely review the results and find out the reasons why students failed to score high marks in some subjects,” Ganguly told EducationWorld after announcing the results.

Partha Pratim Baidya, headmaster of Jadavpur Vidyapith School in Kolkata said in his institution 193 candidates had written the Class X board exam of whom 26 have scored above 90 per cent marks in aggregate.

“The number of 90 per cent and above scorers is a little less this year. Many of our students failed to score above 90 per cent mainly because they have got low marks in math and history,” Baidya told EducationWorld.

Subhrojit Dutta, headmaster of Hindu School, run by the state school education department said students of his school have also performed poorly in history.

Soumen Pal, headmaster of  Haradayal Nag Adarsha Vidyalaya said the marks of students of his school in mathematics and science subjects are “very low” this time. “ Our students had never scored so low marks in math and science papers in the last 10 years’ Madhyamik exams.

Devdatta Majhi, a student of Katwa Durgadasi Choudhury Girls High School secured the first rank by scoring 697 out of 700 or 99.57 per cent.

Two students stood second securing 691 out of 700 and six candidates shared the third rank obtaining 690.

This year 6,98,628 students were enrolled for the Madhyamik exam which is nearly four lakh less than last year.