Mangaluru: Govt high schools in Dakshina Kannada (DK) have recorded a sharp improvement in SSLC results this academic year, with the number of schools securing 100% pass results more than doubling compared to last year.According to district data, 110 of the 191 govt high schools achieved 100% results. Last academic year, only 48 govt high schools secured 100% results. Overall, govt schools in the district posted a pass percentage of 97.2%, a significant rise from the 87.5% they posted in 2024-25. Among 191 govt high schools, 68 recorded above 90% results, 12 secured above 80%, while one school reported results above 60%. The district’s overall performance has also improved substantially. Out of 524 high schools in Dakshina Kannada, 349 schools secured 100% results this year, compared to just 148 out of 521 schools in the previous academic year. While govt schools have shown major gains, aided schools continue to lag behind. Of the 103 aided high schools in the district, only 50 recorded 100% results. In contrast, unaided schools continued their strong performance, with 189 out of 230 schools securing 100% results. Last year, of the 148 schools that achieved 100% results, 48 were govt schools, with 40 of those located in rural areas. Some govt schools have also maintained a record of securing 100% results for consecutive years. Laxminarayan, the nodal officer for SSLC examination in DK, attributed the improvement in govt school results largely to changes in the passing criteria. He said for the 2025-26 academic year, SSLC pass marks were reduced to 33%. Of total 100 marks, 20 were allotted for internal assessment, while pen-and-paper exams accounted for 80 marks. He said most students scored well in internal assessment, which helped them cross the minimum passing threshold. “This became a positive for govt high school children, where a majority have passed with good marks,” he added. On the weaker performance of aided schools, Laxminarayan said the reasons were varied, including the absence of permanent appointments, lack of seriousness of school managements regarding results and that many of those schools are on the verge of closure. He also pointed to lower student strength in rural areas as a contributing factor. The headmaster of a govt high school said teachers had put in considerable effort and closely followed model question papers. The revised 33% pass mark, the head said, proved to be a major advantage for students, many of whom might otherwise have dropped out after failing the SSLC exams.
