Targeting a 100% Pass Rate in Class 10 Board Exams
The Class 10 board exam serves as a pivotal gateway for students, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey and shaping the future that lies ahead. Successfully passing these exams not only opens doors to higher education and specialized professional courses but also lays a strong foundation for various career paths.
Therefore, these exams are not simply assessments; they are formative experiences that foster personal and academic growth, helping students develop essential skills such as critical thinking, time management, and resilience.
Recognizing the crucial importance of passing Class 10 board exams, the Sikkim government has launched the Chief Minister’s Mentorship Programme (CMMP) starting this year which aims to secure a 100% pass rate.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay launched the much-needed initiative during the State-level Teachers’ Day 2024 celebration at Manan Kendra, Gangtok on September 5.
“This initiative is a significant step toward our goal of achieving a 100% pass rate in the Class X board examination and ensuring every student receives the guidance needed to succeed.
I encourage all our students to take full advantage of this scheme,” said the Chief Minister on this programme.
Sikkim has been performing well in the Class X board exams (CBSE & ICSE) but there is always room for improvement. In the last board exams, Sikkim secured around 67% pass percentage even though the State has the highest student to teacher ratio in the nation with one teacher available for every 15 students.
Altogether 7210 students from both private and government schools gave their Class 10 board exams earlier this year in Sikkim.
State Education minister Raju Basnet shared that the department has already completed the training series of resource persons selected to take forward the CMMP and met the given objectives. “We have identified 84 resource persons who have completed their training. They will go to their areas and take it forward. Our objective is to see our students passing in all the subjects including Maths and Science,” he said.
In this capacity building workshops, there were key sessions on familiarising and sensitising the school principals to pedagogical, inspiring, and empowering leadership roles and responsibilities.
The months from October to January are crucial and accordingly, initiatives such as identifying students’ weaknesses and providing targeted support in subjects where they're struggling should be prioritised.
The Education minister adds that the CMPP is a continuous exercise and the department is sparing no efforts to give its best for this first year even though there is less time available. One of the challenges would be to ensure the students and teachers stay motivated given the festive season in Sikkim starts from October and stretches till January. The department, in order to make the students exam-ready, would be conducting a series of mock tests and chart out the areas of improvement for the students.
“Another measure we are taking is to identify those schools that have been performing poorly in the board exams. There are schools which have 100% success rate and there are also schools where the pass percentage is very low, pushing down the average pass rate of the State. We will identify the weak schools and give special attentions to those schools by pooling in resources and having winter coaching camps,” said the Education minister.
Additionally, involving local MLAs in the Chief Minister’s Mentorship Programme is a key engagement strategy. Area MLAs have been encouraged to support and promote the programme within their constituencies, reinforcing a community-based approach to education improvement.
Through these initiatives, the State government aims to create a supportive framework that not only enhances academic performance but also fosters a culture of excellence and resilience among students throughout Sikkim.
“The area MLAs have been appealed to patronize the programme in their respective constituencies. Through this engagement, if there is any minor resource gap, it can be tackled there itself. Maybe there would be some schools requiring teachers of a certain subject and no volunteers are readily available. In this scenario, some funds can be managed and a qualified person can be hired to teach that particular subject. These resource gaps can be fulfilled by the area MLA concerned to take up steps where students remain motivated,” said the Education minister.
Basnet, who is the area MLA for Namcheybung constituency under Pakyong District, also plans to put in some hours in the schools of his constituency to motivate the students who are appearing for their board exams next year. It is not about teaching the curriculum but more of mentoring and motivating, and also help the students if they have problems, he said.
The Chief Minister’s Mentorship Programme envisions that a student is not denied his or future prospects because he/she could not clear the Class 10 board exams. Passing Class 10 board exams is a critical milestone in a student’s educational journey. This stage not only marks the transition from secondary to higher secondary education but also lays the groundwork for future academic and career opportunities.
“People say that everything is possible these days and formal education would not be so important in coming days. But till such a time comes, there will be entrance exams for professional degrees including medical and engineering. Wherever you go, be it college or jobs, Class 10 pass is the minimum requirement. Hence it is important that no student is denied of the future opportunities,” mentions the Education minister.
To take forward the CMMP, especially during the crucial preparatory months, the Education department is planning to have a pool of volunteers to assist the department in those schools which lacks sufficient teachers.
“We are trying to have a pool of volunteers from the locality itself to give us a helping hand. It will be a voluntarily exercise, we are seeking dedicated individuals who want to contribute to the society by supporting us in this initiative,” said the Education minister.
The minister emphasized that clearing the Class X board exams is quite attainable, especially with the current marking system, which allocates 20 marks for internal assessments. For the remaining 80 marks, certain chapters in each subject carry significant weight. By focusing on these key areas and performing well in internal assessments, students can easily achieve the required 33 marks to pass in a subject.
As more students succeed in these exams, the overall pass rate for both schools and the state will rise. This, in turn, fosters a competitive spirit among meritorious students, motivating them to excel even further. The increase in passing students not only enhances the reputation of schools but also contributes positively to the educational landscape of the State, promoting a culture of achievement and excellence.
EDUCATION | Key to Sikkim’s Future
Major Initiatives Taken
Education is a top priority for the State government, as it is the key to Sikkim’s future.
Under Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay’s leadership, exemplary and modern steps have been taken to strengthen and enhance the education sector in Sikkim. These initiatives reflect the government's holistic approach to education, recognizing it as a cornerstone for Sikkim's development and future prosperity.
Restructure of Education Department: The Education department has been restricted into two sections - School Education and Higher, Technical & Medical Education.
This reorganization aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of the State education system.
Model Residential School: The State government is establishing a Model Residential School in Assam Lingzey to provide quality education to underprivileged yet talented children, serving as a model for implementing NEP 2020. This school shall be operational from the next academic session.
Implementation of NEP 2020: The State government’s focus is on universal foundational literacy and numeracy, with measures in place to achieve a 100% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) by 2030. Digital innovations are enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing transparency.
Enrolment Statistics: For the 2022-23 academic year, the State’s GER is 90.50% for elementary education, 78.96% for secondary education and 65.11% for senior secondary education. Net Enrollment Ratios are 69.92% for elementary and secondary education and 35.67% for senior secondary education. Transition rates are 90.78% from primary to upper primary, 98.35% from upper primary to secondary, and 98.35% from secondary to senior secondary. The Pupil-Teacher Ratios are 9.44 at pre-primary, 4.41 in primary, 8.63 in upper primary, 6.73 in secondary and 9.18 in senior secondary.
Learning Resources: The State government is committed to providing high-quality resources, including e-learning tools (DIKSHA), well-equipped labs, vocational resources, and trained sports teachers. The aim is to develop well-rounded individuals with essential 21st-century skills.
Vocational Education: Sikkim is a pioneer in offering vocational trades at Classes IX to XII across all 211 government secondary and senior secondary schools. The State is establishing the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) to align with national assessment standards.
Educational Management: The Education Management and Monitoring Information System (EMMIS) enhance data collection and decision-making through the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK).
Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme (CMMSS): This scheme supports economically disadvantaged and tribal children, with 1,157 students having benefited by 2023. The scheme has been extended up to the graduation level. The State is also expanding the scheme to include additional spots and reservations for children with special needs.
PM SHRI Schools: Sikkim has 43 PM SHRI Schools, with 30 in the 1st Phase and 13 in the 2nd Phase. Interventions like the Learning Enhancement Programme and Winter Coaching have improved academic performance, with pass percentages for Class X rising from 61% to 67% and Class XII from 86.9% to 88.12%.
Innovative Programs: Mindfulness and meditation have been integrated into the PM SHRI Scheme. In 2023, 242 teachers from 51 schools were trained in the Heartfulness Way Curriculum and HELP Programme. Schools have also developed School Nutrition Gardens to teach students about organic farming and entrepreneurship.
Teacher Motivation and Exposure Trips: The State government organizes exposure trips for State Awardees and Commendation Certificate recipients to motivate teachers and share best practices. In 2024, 37 State Awardees will visit Tamil Nadu and Kerala and 1 National Awardee Teacher will go to Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.
Higher Education Transformation: Beginning in the 2025-26 academic session, government colleges will evolve into multi-disciplinary Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), offering a four-year undergraduate program with flexible entry and exit options. Under the Rashtriya Uchhatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), the State government is constructing four new government colleges and supporting the Khangchendzonga State University (KSU) campus at Tarku with PM-USHA funds. Additionally, the establishment of NIT Khamdong and the allocation of 50 MBBS seats at Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), fully funded by the State Government, along with 30 seats available on a payment basis for Sikkimese students, will further enhance the State’s technical and medical education sectors.
SCERT Initiatives: SCERT has developed State textbooks for primary education, which have been positively received by NCERT and are used as resource materials nationally. Sikkim has been allotted 5 DTH channels under the PM e-Vidhya project for digital education, with SCERT creating quality video content for local broadcast.
Mental Health Support: SCERT collaborates with various organizations to provide mental health support systems in schools.
Through these initiatives, the State government are advancing its education goals and creating opportunities for all students in Sikkim, ensuring a brighter future for Sikkim.