KATHMANDU, JULY 6

This year's Grade X (Secondary Education Examination) results, which the National Examination Board announced today, showed that the number of students who performed better had remarkably increased compared to previous years.

As per the published results, out of a total of 485,229 students who appeared in the SEE, 22,475 received the highest GPA (3.6 to 4.0) which is five per cent of the total examinees. Last year, a total of 9,633 students had got GPA 3.6 to GPA 4.0 which was approximately two per cent of the total examinees. This suggests a rise of three per cent students who obtained GPA 3.6 to 4.0. Also, students acquiring GPA 3.0 to 3.6 increased by three per cent.

This year, 55,069 students attained GPA 3.0 to 3.6 which is around 12 per cent. Last year, the number was 41,727, around nine per cent.

Similarly, students who performed poorly and got GPA 1.6 to 2.0 is 88,447 which is around 18 per cent of the total examinees. Last year, the number was much higher at 100,594 which was over 20 per cent. However, the number of students scoring average marks have remained almost same this year compared to last year. Last year, a total of 18.31 per cent students had acquired GPA 2.4 to 2.8. The number is almost equal at 18.42 per cent this year. Similarly, 14.10 per cent students had acquired GPA 2.8 to 3.2 last year compared to 14.90 per cent this year.

This year, a total of 242,712 girls and 242,674 boys had appeared for SEE from March 31 to April 12.

While there is no doubt that this year's result has improved significantly, authorities and educationists said different examination approach and post-COVID scenario played an important role in improving the result this year around.

The NEB stated that specialised question papers were formed in seven provinces as per student's cognitive capacity in three most difficult subjects - English, Mathematics and Science. Before conducting the SEE, the NEB had tested students' capacity in various parts of the country on the basis of their understanding of the text and their problem-solving abilities.

After analysing the result of the test scientifically, the NEB had prepared the question paper, which helped students obtain higher marks in the most difficult subjects.

NEB Chairperson Mahashram Sharma said apart from the specialised test for three subjects, overall teaching environment and classroom activities contributed to better results this time around.

On his part, Educationist Bidyanath Koirala said the government decision of not separating marking system in theory and practical examination in various subjects might have increased the number of students scoring higher. 'There are certain subjects like Social Studies, Health Education and Population, and English where students have to appear for practical and theoretical examinations. Earlier, the results were published separately wherein students would have to score pass marks separately to get the minimum required score,' said Koirala, adding, 'But this time around, collective marks were provided. This must have drastically increased the pass rate among students since almost all students get full marks (25 out of 25) in practical exams. I think if this rule was not used, many students would not have got higher marks this year as well.'

He said the overall performance of public schools in the country had also improved. 'The teachers and principals were seen to be more dedicated towards teaching their pupils while many local governments' initiative to improve school education also played an important role ,' he shared. A total of 13,992 (2.89 per cent ) of the total examinees failed to secure any grade.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 7, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.