In Jharkhand,72% fail Class 12 Science,even Minister’s children

Among the students who failed — the results came in three days ago — are the son and daughter of state Human Resource Minister Baidhnath Ram.

Asked about the pass percentage,Principal Secretary (HRD) Mridula Sinha attributed it to “efforts to improve quality of education” in Jharkhand.

“We have tightened screws at all levels. As a result,there has been little scope for manipulation and cheating. Now we plan to select meritorious teachers who will teach with passion,” Sinha said.

Minister Ram had a similar take: “Had I used unfair means,my children would not have failed.”

Questions are already being asked about the falling standards,especially in Science where the pass percentage has been dropping consistently — 50% (2009),30% (2010),28% (2011).

Compare this with neighbouring Bihar where the pass percentage in Science this year was 90 per cent. Or,Assam’s 87.3%,Kerala’s 83.4%,Punjab’s 78%,Gujarat’s 69.2%,Mumbai’s 88.7%,MP’s 66.1%,UP’s 65.2% and Karnataka’s 64.9%.

Even in Commerce,Jharkhand’s pass percentage this year is only 42%,down from 78% in 2009 and 58% in 2010.

In Mathematics,more than 40 per cent students failed this year. “This is proof that the education system in Jharkhand is in dire straits. It calls for systemic reform,” said Manoranjan Singh of Jharkhand Rajya Abhiwavak Sangh,a body of parents of students.

For primary and middle-level education,Jharkhand spends Rs 1,821 per child in the 6-14 age group as against Rs 1,393 by Bihar and Rs 1,788 by Chhattisgarh,according to the Analysis of Budgeted Expenditure on Education,Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.

There is acute shortage of teachers in colleges for Plus Two education,said Ram Nagina Upadhyaya,former Director of Education. “Unless the shortage of teachers is not addressed,we cannot expect any improvement in the performance of students,” he said.