Kerala enforces minimum marks rule: Classes 5-9 students to face re-exams from April 28

IN a significant move to improve academic standards, the Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) has announced that students from Classes 5 to 9 who fail to secure minimum marks will have to appear for re-examinations later this month.

According to the directive, the reexams will be conducted between April 28 and April 30 across schools.

Before that, schools have been instructed to complete the evaluation process at the earliest and identify students who fall short of the required minimum marks.

To help these students improve, a dedicated one-week academic support programme will be organised from April 20 to April 27.

During this period, teachers will provide focused guidance and learning assistance within schools to ensure students are better prepared for the second attempt.

Following the completion of the re-examinations, the final annual results will be officially declared on May 2.

The decision comes amid growing criticism over declining academic standards, particularly concerns that students lacking basic reading and writing skills are still managing to secure top grades, including A+, in Class 10 examinations.

In response, the state had earlier introduced minimum mark requirements for Class 8 students in the previous academic year.

The policy has now been extended to Class 9 in the current academic year. Expanding the scope further, authorities have now mandated re-examinations for students from Class 5 onwards who fail to meet the benchmark.

Officials believe that this structured intervention, combining evaluation, remedial teaching, and re-assessment, will help ensure that students achieve foundational learning competencies before progressing to higher classes.