K'taka Governor orders review of SSLC third language grading policy
K'taka Governor orders review of SSLC third language grading policy
Karnataka’s Governor calls for a thorough review of shifting from marks to grades for the SSLC’s third language, amid concerns from language advocates and educators.
The Karnataka governor’s office has directed a comprehensive review of the new grading system for third-language subjects in the SSLC examinations following a representation from the Association for Preservation of Local Languages, Bengaluru. Officials have been asked to consult the Department of School Education and other authorities to examine the academic and administrative dimensions of the policy and take action in the larger interest of students and the state’s educational objectives.
Supporters of the change argue it aligns with easing academic pressure and modernizing assessment, while critics warn that removing marks could undermine the importance of third-language learning and threaten linguistic diversity and student engagement. The policy shift was introduced during the ongoing SSLC process, catching many by surprise and fueling political debate about its motives and timing.
Historically, the SSLC examination covered six subjects totaling 625 marks, including 100 marks for the third language. In 2024-25, about 164,000 students could not clear the SSLC, with 146,000 failing in the third-language paper, underscoring concerns about the subject’s weight in overall results. School Education and Literacy Minister S Madhu Bangarappa has remarked that the change was announced during the exam process and emphasized that the review will consider both academic and administrative aspects across the education sector to better balance student welfare with linguistic goals.
