In a significant update to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination system, students in class 10 must now have at least 70% attendance to be eligible for the public exam. This new rule comes as part of the latest curriculum changes proposed by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).
Under the new guidelines, students who do not meet the 70% attendance requirement will not be allowed to take the SSC exam. However, in special cases, if a student has a valid reason and sufficient evidence, teachers can decide collectively to allow the student to sit for the exam.
The SSC exam will also see changes in its structure and grading system. The assessment will be divided into a written part (65%) and an activity-based part (35%), covering assignments, presentations, research, and problem-solving tasks. The exams will span a total of five hours.
Instead of the traditional Grade Point Average (GPA) system, students will be evaluated on a seven-level scale: Unique, Achievement, Pioneering, Proactive, Exploratory, Developing, and Early. Each level reflects the student's proficiency and performance in various subjects.
Students currently in class IX will be the first to experience this new curriculum, with the SSC exam slated for 2026. Additionally, discussions are ongoing about conducting the SSC exam in December starting next year.
If a student fails in one or two subjects, they may still advance to class XI under certain conditions but must pass the failed subjects within the next two years. Failing in three or more subjects will result in the student not advancing to class XI.
These changes aim to improve the quality of education and ensure that students are better prepared for their future academic and professional endeavors.
