Nuapada second highest and Kalahandi second lowest passing rate in matriculation exam 2009

Riots blamed for Kandhamal's poor showing
Times of India, June 30, 2009

CUTTACK: Riot-ravaged Kandhamal proves to what extent education can suffer when people live in fear. That communal tension has taken its toll on
studies is evident from the poor matriculation results declared on Tuesday. With a pass percentage of 43.51, the district has recorded the lowest percentage in the state.

After the riots last year, schools were closed down and many schools turned into relief camps for victims. Students lost text books and were in trauma. Teachers claim that all these factors resulted in the poor show.

"Schools were closed for three months because of the riots. Education was badly hampered. Later, teachers took the initiative to teach students by conducting special classes in relief camps. But that was not enough obviously," said Kishore Panda, secretary of the Orissa Secondary School Teachers Association (OSSTA).

Around 4,874 students appeared for the exams in the district. Out of this figure, 2,078 managed to taste success.

"Extra classes were conducted, books were distributed among students. But somehow the riots affected the education and the students were unable to perform well," rued N C Swain, examination controller, Board of Secondary Education.

However, many argued that the riots could not have been the sole reason for the dismal performance. They cited places like Kalahandi, Gajapati and Nawarangpur districts which have also not done well although there were no riots.

Kalahandi has recorded a pass percentage of 46.92 which is the second lowest in the state, while Nawarangpur has achieved 47.22 and Gajapati 47.58. "We always look for excuses. The standard of teaching has gone down in many areas. Schools are not functioning in the manner they are expected to. This is affecting the output," said a senior teacher.

Again, Swain pointed out that Kalahandi recorded 31.42 pass percentage last year while this year it has improved to 46.92.

"Tribals are economically and educationally backward. Poverty is a major impediment to studies. Special measures need to be adopted by the state government to raise the standard of education in these areas," said Panda.

In comparison, Dhenkanal district recorded the highest pass percentage of 80.12, while Nuapada witnessed the second highest with 78.29.