APPENDIX `P'
SUPPLEMENTARY ITEM (iv)
FAILURES IN EXAMINATIONS
 

Considering the appalling wastage of human resources and the widespread sense of frustration among students resulting from the high percentage of failures in examinations at all levels of education, and especially at the school leaving stage.

Viewing with concern the very slow progress made in the reform of the examination system in spite of fairly thorough investigations carried out in this field in recent years, the C. A. B. E. resolves that-

(1) the authorities concerned should accelerate their efforts for eliminating this wastage through speedy improvements in the teaching and learning processes, the creation of conditions for harder and more concentrated work, and the better utilisation of school programmes and amenities;

(2) the examining bodies should introduce as quickly as possible the various measures for reforming the examination system recommended by the Ministry of Education ;

(3) and the appropriate authorities should take immediate steps for reorganizing the school final examination results on the following lines:

The present system of classifying the passes in three divisions with approximately fifty percent failures should give way to a new classification comprising first and second divisions and a pass divi- sion, thus abolishing the third division. With the help of measures for accelerated improvement and reforms mentioned in (1) and (2) above, and the use of the new pass division, the educational autho- rities should aim at the reduction of percentage of failures from approximately fifty to about twenty. While the bright students passing in first and second divisions would proceed to advanced studies at the university level for professional and non-professional courses, the rest should be offered new avenues and sufficient opportunities for technical training and vocational courses leading to employment at the intermediate grades in industry, commerce and social Organisation. In order to effect the reorganization of the school final examination on the lines indicated above, a meeting of Education Secretaries and Chairman/Secretaries of School Examination Boards should be convened at an early date. This body should examine the problems involved, formulate concrete measures for action and discharge on a continuing basis the general responsibilities for implementing this reform.

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