Thiruvananthapuram: Continuing the trend of higher pass percentages each year, the success rate in Kerala’s latest Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination has touched an all-time high 97.99 per cent.

The results also showed that as many as 1,501 schools across the state scored 100 per cent success and 12,287 students scored an ‘A’ grade in all subjects.

More surprisingly, the high pass percentage was achieved without any additional marks awarded as ‘moderation’. The results were announced on Monday by state education minister P.K. Abdu Rabb.

In all, 468,273 students sat for the examination, of whom 458,841 are eligible for higher education.

For the miniscule percentage that failed, there will be a save-a-year (SAY) examination next month, after which observers expect the pass percentage to hit nearly 100 per cent.

The high pass percentage was also reflected among students who wrote the examination from the Gulf countries, with all but three of the 464 students who wrote from the Gulf countries passing the examination according to early figures available.

The high pass percentage has also raised eyebrows in the state, and a local television channel held a discussion on whether the examination need be held at all, if all students are awarded pass marks.

According to the latest evaluation style in schools, almost every student is given 18 marks out of 20 for the internal evaluation, leaving them to get only a few more marks out of the remaining 80 to achieve a pass. Educational experts say this has led to a demotivation among bright students to work hard, and left the laggards to relax because they are assured of 18 out of 20 internal marks.

Educational expert B.S. Warrier said there was nothing wrong if students achieved high marks on the basis of merit, but added that “children would be getting the wrong message if they are given marks even if they put no effort”.

Social media took up the issue, with some commentators wondering why so much money is spent by the state on answer sheets and evaluation when the intention is to pass everyone, and others stating that the system is making a mockery of school education.