Kerala revises grace marks for students

The General Education department has revised the grace marks given to students appearing for SSLC, higher secondary, and vocational higher secondary examinations. In an order issued recently by the department, grace marks have been fixed for the science magazine contest, which has been been detached from the Sasthrotsavam (science festival). The top three winners will get 20, 15, and 10 as grace marks. At the same time, grace marks allowed for the State-level Bhaskaracharya seminar have been removed.

It has also been decided to allow grace marks for 19 on-the-spot events at the School Skill Festival (earlier vocational expo). The first three winners will get 20, 15, and 10 as grace marks.

The School Social Service Scheme and the State-level winners of the Young Innovators Programme (YIP) Sasthrapadham will also be awarded grace marks. Under the School Social Service Scheme, 25, 15, and 10 marks will be given as grace marks, while YIP Sasthrapadham will fetch students 10 marks.

However, the order does not mention any grace marks for reading. Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty had announced that grace marks would be awarded for newspaper and book reading. Officials said reading-related activities to be taken up by students in order for them to get grace marks had not been finalised, though discussions had been held in this connection. Once these are determined, grace marks could be awarded.

The officials expressed optimism that grace marks for reading would be introduced in the next academic year.