Bhubaneswar: About 15,000 students have not appeared at Class IX annual examinations conducted across the state this year.
According to a release of Board of Secondary Education (BSE), of the total 6,66,269 students studying in Class IX in the state, 5,51,334 students appeared at the annual examination, while 14,935 were absent.
As per the results of Class IX examinations that were declared on Tuesday, 87.2% of the total examinees have secured pass marks with 30,138 students getting F(II) grade. While all the students, who appeared at the examinations, will be promoted to Class X, those who secured F(II) will have to appear at improvement test to be conducted by the schools.
These students will be offered three chances to secure the pass marks of 30% in each subject they have failed. They will be imparted teaching on their weak subjects in schools till May 31. The improvement tests will be held on June 1, 8 and 16.
Meanwhile, BSE sources said district education officers would be asked to inquire into the cause of absenteeism and to submit their reports by May 31.
It may be noted that total 43,489 students have not appeared at annual Board examinations this year.
Speaking on the large absenteeism in Matric examination, Bishnupada Sethi, secretary, school and mass education department had said the studies of the students were severely affected due to COVID pandemic. They might have dropped out of the examination due to lack of preparation.
