Bengaluru, June 20, 2025 – The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) in Karnataka has intensified its efforts to address declining academic performance by issuing show-cause notices to numerous schools across the state with poor Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination results for the 2024-25 academic year. This move, aimed at improving educational outcomes, has sparked widespread discussion among educators, administrators, and policymakers.

Background: Declining SSLC Performance

The SSLC examination, a critical milestone for Class 10 students in Karnataka, serves as a benchmark for academic achievement and determines eligibility for further education. However, the 2024-25 SSLC Exam-1 recorded a statewide pass percentage of just 62.34%, a significant drop from previous years. In response, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) conducted supplementary exams (SSLC-2) from May 26 to June 2, 2025, which saw a pass rate of 27.8%. Despite this, the overall pass percentage for the year, combining both exams, stands at 71.43%, raising concerns about the quality of education in government and aided schools.

Particularly alarming are the results from districts such as Kalyana Karnataka, where Kalaburagi and Yadgir ranked at the bottom, with 27 schools in Kalaburagi reporting a zero pass rate. Other districts, including Bidar (47.57%), Vijayapura (52.57%), and Bengaluru South (56.58%), also reported pass percentages below 60% in government schools.

Show-Cause Notices Issued

In a bid to hold schools accountable, the DSEL has issued show-cause notices to hundreds of underperforming institutions. In Koppal district alone, 207 school principals, including 132 from government schools, received notices after their schools performed below the district’s average pass rate of 56.6%. Similarly, in Ballari, 60 government high schools with pass percentages below 40%—some as low as 16%—are under scrutiny, with potential teacher transfers being considered.

Dharwad district reported 106 schools, including six with a 0% pass rate, receiving notices. The Zilla Panchayat CEO, Bhuvanesh Patil, has directed the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) to prepare a comprehensive academic improvement plan, signaling a broader push for reform.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also taken a firm stance, ordering notices to DDPIs in districts with pass rates below 60% and emphasizing that excuses such as teacher shortages will not be tolerated. He has set an ambitious target of achieving a 75% pass rate in the 2026 SSLC exams without awarding grace marks, a practice he criticized for inflating 2024 results by up to 20%.

Reasons for Poor Performance

Several factors have been cited for the declining SSLC results. Teachers and headmasters have pointed to a severe shortage of staff, with Ballari reporting 395 vacant teaching positions out of 1,014 sanctioned posts. In Koppal, educators argue that non-teaching duties, such as government programs and local administration tasks, divert time from classroom instruction.

Additionally, critics highlight systemic issues at the primary level, where students are promoted despite lacking foundational skills, leading to poor performance in high school. In Kalyana Karnataka, irregular teacher attendance and political interference have further exacerbated the crisis.

The state’s secondary school dropout rate, reported at 22.2%—higher than the national average of 14.1%—also underscores broader challenges in retaining students and ensuring quality education.

Department’s Response and Proposed Measures

The DSEL has outlined several initiatives to address these issues. In Ballari, DDPI Umadevi B announced special classes during holidays and a detailed action plan to target learning gaps. Koppal’s DDPI, Srishail Biradar, emphasized identifying impediments to better results, such as inconsistent student attendance and inadequate teaching capabilities.

The department is also planning remedial classes for students preparing for SSLC Exam-3, scheduled from July 5 to July 12, 2025, for those who failed the first two attempts or seek to improve their scores. Additionally, there are calls for stricter accountability measures, including potential salary cuts for teachers and withholding grants for aided schools with pass rates below 60%.

Reactions from Stakeholders

The issuance of show-cause notices has elicited mixed reactions. Teachers’ unions have expressed concerns about being unfairly blamed, arguing that systemic issues, such as understaffing and lack of resources, are the root causes. In Koppal, educators raised issues of harassment by education officials and political meddling, which they claim undermines teaching standards.

Conversely, Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa praised government school students for outperforming their private school counterparts in SSLC-2, with a pass rate of 36.65% compared to 19.75% for aided schools and 32% for unaided schools. He highlighted this as evidence of potential within the public education system when supported effectively.

Looking Ahead

As Karnataka grapples with its education crisis, the DSEL’s actions signal a commitment to reform. However, the success of these measures will depend on addressing structural challenges, such as teacher shortages and non-teaching burdens, while fostering a collaborative approach with educators.

The upcoming SSLC Exam-3 and the 2026 exams will be critical tests of the department’s strategies. For now, the show-cause notices serve as a wake-up call for schools to prioritize academic excellence and work toward meeting the state’s ambitious 75% pass rate target.

For more information on SSLC results and re-evaluation processes, visit the official KSEAB website at karresults.nic.in.

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