Test case for English scores

Calcutta: Several ICSE schools have started collating the scores of their 2018 Class X batch in internal English tests over a year to establish that most of them did not get the marks they deserved in the board examination.

A few of these institutions intend to randomly select a maximum of six students whose English scores were not as expected and seek a re-evaluation. Some are encouraging their students to file petitions under the Right to Information Act, 2005, for copies of evaluated English answer scripts.

"We have discussed this with our teachers and are thinking of writing to the council that we are not happy with the English scores of even our high performers. We know these children and the marks in English don't do justice to their abilities. Many students are inquiring if they should apply for a recheck," said Sister Rani, principal of Our Lady Queen of the Missions School in Park Circus.

One principal said a student of his institution scored 100 in three subjects, 99 in one subject and 89 in English. He said the student had been scoring above 90 per cent in English in all internal exams since he was in Class IX.

Schools seeking institutional re-evaluation while contesting scores in a particular subject is rare. But almost every category of institution - from Christian missionary-run schools to those managed by trusts and other private organisations - has brainstormed over the past two days to find out why their students have returned lower scores in English than expected.

The principals that Metro spoke to said that a preliminary analysis of the overall performance in English had strengthened their suspicion that the scores were not a true reflection of their students' ability in the subject.

St James' School has decided to apply to the council for an institutional re-evaluation after comparing scores in internal English tests with those in the final examination. "If we find that more than 20 per cent of our students got much higher marks in the rehearsal tests, we will ask for a re-evaluation," principal Terence Ireland said.

A provision in the rules allows affiliated schools to apply for institutional re-evaluation, subject to a maximum of six students.