Mumbai: Board postpones implementation of new scoring system for SSC, HSC

In what can be seen as a huge relief for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) students, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has decided not to introduce the new scoring system for this year's board examinations to be held in February and March.

The state board had observed that students were scoring more marks in oral or practical examination which is carried out by their own schools or colleges through an internal examiner. However, the same students were scoring lesser marks in written examinations that are mostly held at other centres.

Thus, the state board proposed to make it compulsory for students to score a minimum 20% in written examination and have an aggregate of 35% for passing. The final decision on this matter was pending as officials were waiting expert opinion.

On being asked about the issue, Gangadhar Mhamane, chairman of the state board, said: "This time the state government has asked us not to introduce the new scoring system and wait till the syllabus is revised. Hence, it was decided to let the examination be held like the old pattern."

According to the current scoring pattern, students need to score an aggregate of 35% in written and practical examination to pass the board exams.