Nearly 1 lakh examinees to take HSLC compartmental

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, June 8: Nearly 1 lakh out of 2,02,179 students who failed to clear HSLC 2017, the results of which were declared recently, will now appear for the compartmental test to be conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) next month.

Sources told The Sentinel that the huge rush of examinees to go for the compartmental lifeline indicates the desperation of thousands of youths to pass the High School Leaving certificate (HSLC) exam within this year.

“HSLC exam is one of the most important public examitions in the State. There are enough instances, especially in rural areas, where passing HSLC is considered the sole criteria for being educated and getting a job. Instances are not rare when eligibility of girls in villages in finding a bridegroom is enhanced after they clear the HSLC hurdle. Under such circumstances, dismal pass percentage in this year’s HSLC results has left many disappointed. Thus, they are trying their luck again through next month’s compartmental test,” the source said.

The SEBA will hold the compartmental test between July 27 and 30. The results will be declared within August 20 to eble students to take admission in Class XI or Higher Secondary first year in the current academic session itself.

Online submission of forms for the compartmental test is under way and will continue till June 12.

Even though the SEBA used to conduct compartmental test in the past, sources said the practice was discontinued since 2004 due to increasing pass percentage in HSLC exams.

But the SEBA has once again realized the importance of holding the compartmental test after the HSLC pass percentage this year plunged to 47.94 per cent, the lowest in last 14 years.

“In the past, students who cleared the HSLC compartmental test could not take admission in the same year of passing. But this time, the SEBA will hold the test and declare results in time so that students do not miss out on a valuable academic year. That is another reason why such a large number of students have been motivated to sit for the compartmental test,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Secondary Education has also taken up certain measures to eble students to clear the compartmental test successfully. The department has instructed heads of different schools to conduct remedial or coaching classes for students appearing for the compartmental test. Teachers of respective schools of students will take such classes after regular school hours. Inspectors of schools have been instructed to ensure that coaching classes are held regularly and students are benefited to successfully clear the ensuing test.