Edappal: Even though around 20 percent of students in Classes 8, 9, and 10 failed to secure the minimum qualifying marks in all subjects in the half-yearly examinations, the SSLC examination pass percentage later crossed 98 percent, according to documents obtained through the Right to Information Act.

The data collected pertains to the pass percentage in half-yearly examinations conducted in schools across Malappuram district. The records show that the pass percentage in the district’s schools stood at 72.9 percent in Class 8, 81.2 percent in Class 9, and 82.79 percent in Class 10. However, in this year’s SSLC examination, the district recorded a pass percentage of 98.72.

Headmasters say the sharp rise in results may be due to intensive coaching programmes implemented in schools close to the SSLC examinations. Initiatives such as the District Panchayat’s “Vijayabheri” programme and academic support systems run by schools have reportedly played a major role in helping weaker students improve. At the same time, some critics argue that it should also be examined whether the state’s evaluation system is placing greater emphasis on achieving high pass percentages rather than accurately reflecting students’ actual academic ability.

In the 2025 half-yearly examinations, there were 9,35,048 students in Class 8. Of them, 8,81,996 passed by scoring above the minimum marks in all subjects, while 2,53,052 students failed to secure even the minimum marks in every subject.

For Class 9, the total number of students was 9,19,385, and 7,46,758 passed and 1,72,627 failed.

In Class 10 half-yearly examinations, the total number of students was 6,75,656. Among them, 5,59,261 passed while 1,16,395 failed. By the time of the SSLC examinations, the number of successful candidates had risen to 6,73,631, with failures reduced to just 2,027 students.

A total of 1,14,370 students who had failed to obtain minimum marks in all subjects during the half-yearly examinations later secured passing marks in all subjects in the SSLC examinations. RTI activist PN Krishnakumar obtained these figures from the Education Department after a three-month struggle. The information was released only after an appeal was filed.

All-promotion system should be stopped

KPSTA has consistently maintained that the all-promotion system should be discontinued. Students should pass according to their actual knowledge and performance. The current rise in pass percentage is part of the broader policy approach of successive governments. We will convey the organisation’s stand to the new government as well.

— Sunilkumar, State General Secretary, KPSTA

Improvement achieved through special training

This change is the result of identifying weaker students after the half-yearly exams and giving them special coaching to improve their standards. All these measures are being implemented in accordance with the Central Government’s Right to Education Act. The aim is to equip students with basic knowledge and help them succeed. Simply making students repeat the same class after failure would not bring much benefit.

— TKA Shafi, State General Secretary, KSTA