Covid-19: North Karnataka districts go down the rank list

DHARWAD/ BELAGAVI/ RAICHUR: The performance of nine educational districts coming under the North West zone has not been satisfactory, thanks to Covid-19 and the disturbance it has caused to the education sector.


According to the KSEE Board, Dharwad district, which was in 28th position last year, has moved to 27th position with ‘B’ grade.

The board has announced grades — instead of pass percentage — while declaring the district-wise ranking this year. In 2019, Dharwad district had registered a pass percentage of 75.04.

Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Sirsi, Uttara Kannada, Chikkodi, Belagavi, Vijayapura and Bagalkot educational districts come under the jurisdiction of the additional commissioner of public instruction (NW zone). Except Uttara Kannada (10th) and Sirsi (15th), the other districts stand in 25 and 33 places. Uttara Kannada has secured ‘A’ grade; Sirsi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Dharwad and Chikkodi have secured ‘B’ grade; Belagavi, Gadag and Haveri have secured ‘C’ grade.

In 2019, Uttara Kannada stood fourth, Sirisi 12th, Chikkodi 13th, Haveri 19th, Belagavi 24th, Vijayapura 25th, Bagalkot 27th, Dharwad 28th and Gadag 31st.

In the rank list, it was not clear whether the actual pass percentage of the districts has improved or not. Many academicians and experts feel that judging the performance of a district on the basis of the district-wise ranking is misleading and unscientific. Even if a district stands at the lower level in the rank list, if the actual pass percentage has improved over the previous year, it should be considered an improvement. “Rank list is only a relative assessment,” said a retired director of public instruction.

Major Siddalingayya Hiremath, additional commissioner of public instruction (NW zone), told TOI that he is happy with the results in the zone as the exams were conducted strictly, the adverse conditions notwithstanding.

Teachers blamed the CCE system for the poor performance where the students face examination only at Class X, after being promoted casually under the no-detention policy till Class IX.

Dharwad DDPI Mohankumar Hanchate said Hubballi, Navalgund and Kalghatagi taluks have secured ‘B’ grade, while Dharwad Rural and Kundgol have been awarded ‘C’ grade.

Meanwhile, Raichur has risen from 33rd place to 28th, thanks to the work of ZP CEO Lakshmikanth Reddy G. On his directions, the district education department conducted many preparatory exams, distributed question-and-answer booklets among the students, and gave attention to slow learners.

Education activist Syed Hafizullah said Raichur would have had a better ranking than 28th had the exams were held as per schedule. “The CEO meticulously planned on improving the learning skills, and it paid off,” he added.