Bhaktapur: The Office of the Controller of Examinations today declared the result for this year’s School Leaving Certificate examination with pass percentage dipping to 47.16 per cent from 55.50 per cent last year. The exam was held from March 19 to 29.

In the last three years, pass percentage in the SLC exam has been declining. It was 64.31 per cent two years ago and 68.47 per cent in 2009.

Of the 528,257 students who had filled the forms only 496,028, including those exempted, had appeared in the exam that was held in 1,748 centres across the country.

The pass percentage was higher among boys (51.8 per cent). Only 42.2 per cent girls cleared the Iron Gate. Last year pass percentage among boys and girls was 59.12 per cent and 51.44 per cent, respectively.

Of the 419,049 students who appeared in regular category — 214,980 boys and 204,069 girls — 197,630 students — 111,391 boys and 86,247 girls — passed the exam. Of the 76,976 students in the exempted category — 33,512 boys and 43,467 girls — 10,549 students (5,061 boys and 5,488 girls) cleared the exam.

Only 13.70 per cent of the examinees passed in the exempted category .

A total of 17,760 students — 10,586 boys and 7,174 girls — passed the exam with distinction.

Altogether 77,257 examinees — 45,289 boys and 31,968 girls — secured first division.

As many as 93,830 examinees — 50,795 boys and 43,035 girls — secured second division, whereas 8,791 examinees — 4,721 boys and 4,070 girls — secured pass division.

The OCE this year provided five grace marks to weak students in a maximum of two subjects. According to Dilli Ram Rimal, examination controller, 12,000 students passed this year with grace marks.

As many as 461 examinees were expelled from exam halls while the exams of 513 students were cancelled this year.

Rimal expressed dissatisfaction with the result. “We would be analysing the result later and find out the reasons to improve it in future,” he told mediapersons. He said 121,000 students who failed in a maximum of two subjects could appear in the chance exam that would be held from August 1 to 8. This year the result was declared earlier. It was published on June 20 last year.

Boys fare better than girls
> Pass percentage: 51.8 per cent among boys and 42.2 per cent among girls
> Distinction: 10,586
> (4.9 per cent) boys and 7,174
> (3.5 per cent) girls pass the test with flying colours
> More boys secure first divisions than girls

source: The Himalayan Times, 14 June 2012