Thiruvananthapuram: The education department has decided to retain the ‘focus area’ method for the SSLC and higher secondary exams this academic year too. The authorities said that the decision regarding the areas that would be included in the focus area would be taken soon. Instead of the 40% that was followed last year, suggestions to include 60% of the lessons in the focus area is likely to be considered. The limit of the focus area too is likely to be different for classes 10, 11 and 12. The valuation would be made stricter if the focus area is widened.
There is no clarity about the dates of the SSLC and plus two exams as the focus areas haven’t been finalised. Meanwhile, the school authorities have informed the government that it would be difficult to conduct the exams in March in the current situation. Stalling the plus two classes for almost two months to conduct the plus one exam has created backlogs of lessons. Many teachers complain that they haven’t been able to complete even half of the plus two lessons. Unlike last year, it would be difficult to complete the portions by January and then start the revision sessions.
As the plus one improvement exams have been scheduled for the last week of January, classes would be missed for at least ten days. Decision regarding resuming the practical exams too is pending.
Last year the focus area was limited to just 40% of the portions as the students had only attended online classes. The question papers were set to help the students score full marks even if they studied only the focus area. The valuation too was liberal with around 1.2 lakh students securing A plus grades for all the subjects in SSLC exam. However, this has raised widespread complains during the admission process to the plus one courses.
“SCERT has been asked to submit a report regarding fixing the focus area. The report will be submitted in two days. The decision would be taken after analysing that report,” said minister V Sivankutty.