HYDERABAD: The state government on Friday announced that every student who appeared for the first year Intermediate examinations earlier this year would be passed.
A total of 51 per cent — 2,34,213 of the 4,59,242 students who had appeared for the exams — had failed. Ever since the results were declared on December 16, there have been vociferous protests by students demanding that everyone who appeared for the exams be passed.
Education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy announced the government decision to give the minimum pass marks of 35 in subjects where the students had failed. She made it clear that this was a one-time convenience.
She told reporters that in view of the pressure the failed students were under, particularly with the need to prepare for Intermediate II exams, the education department, with guidance from Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, had decided to offer pass marks to all failed students.
“Intermediate is a critical and vital stage and passing without adequate preparation for the exams will impact the future of the students. The government is very mindful of this. However, considering the pressures students are under, coming out of a year of severe pandemic conditions, the government decided to give pass marks to all failed students,” the minister said.
The minister dismissed all allegations of wrongdoing by the TS Board of Intermediate Education, or the education department saying there was enough evidence to show that even during lockdown, students had accessed online classes. “Parents too,” Sabitha Reddy said, “should act responsibly. If their children are promoted without being prepared for what comes next, then the students’ future careers will be at stake.”
