- State-level ‘Mission-60+’ programme launched at IIT Dharwad.
- “Regular practice with model question papers can help students achieve better results.”
- “It is our responsibility to ensure that every child gets an opportunity to write the examination.”
Dharwad, November 13:
Thanks to the efforts of teachers across most schools in the state, who took a keen interest in students’ learning, conducted special classes and provided additional learning opportunities, Karnataka recorded a pass percentage of 98.08% in the SSLC examinations and 92.25% in the Second PUC examinations last academic year. These are the highest results ever recorded by the state. School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa urged teachers to work towards achieving the target of 100% results this year as well.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Dharwad division-level resource teachers’ workshop, organised as part of the state-level ‘Mission-60+’ programme for improving the quality of results in the 2026-27 SSLC and Second PUC examinations. The programme was jointly organised by the Department of School Education, the district administration and the Zilla Panchayat at IIT Dharwad.
Recalling the special efforts made by teachers behind last year’s impressive results, the Minister said that several parents had met him and shared that their children had performed well because they had regularly practised solving model question papers. Students had also expressed similar views. Therefore, he urged teachers to thoroughly review previous years’ question papers and give greater importance to practising model question papers. He pointed out that there was still sufficient time before the examinations and called upon everyone to work together to achieve 100% results this year itself.
The role of teachers in shaping the future of children is extremely important. While parents give birth to children, teachers shape their future. Teachers spend more time with children than even their parents and serve as guiding lights in their lives. “I will not claim that I was an outstanding student in school. But whatever I am able to achieve today as a good Education Minister of the state is because of teachers. I have immense pride and respect for all of you. I am committed to providing teachers with all the support they need,” he said, expressing his gratitude.
It is not enough to recognise children only for their academic abilities. Teachers must also identify and encourage children who show interest and talent in various fields such as sports, music, science and theatre. Along with nurturing good values in children, priority must also be given to their overall personality development. “I am not saying that there are no problems in the Education Department. I am making sincere efforts to resolve the existing issues, step by step,” he said.
The Minister recalled that when his father, former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa, was in office, he introduced the Rural Grace Marks Scheme for the first time in the country. His father had studied in a government school. Had government schools not existed back then, he might perhaps never have become the Chief Minister. Even today, people remember the pro-people schemes he introduced. He had immense respect for teachers and farmers. Teachers shape the future of children, while farmers provide food to the nation.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has served the state as Chief Minister for a long period, also studied in a government school. This stands as a testament to the strength and pride of our government schools, he said.
Our aim is to provide more opportunities to children
Students are now being given two opportunities to appear for the SSLC examinations. This system was introduced to ensure that students do not have to wait another year simply because they failed in one attempt. No child should be left behind in education due to a lack of opportunities.
Copying in examinations may help students score marks temporarily, but it cannot help them build their future. It is for this reason that Karnataka became the first state in the country to introduce webcasting to prevent examination malpractice. The Central Government is also adopting the model of the two-examination system introduced in our state, he said.
It is a matter of serious concern that nearly 60,000 children did not appear for the examinations last year. This should not be viewed as a mistake on the part of teachers. Personal and family-related problems faced by children could also have been responsible.
He recalled an incident from his own district, Shivamogga, where a student’s parent passed away on the day of the examination. The very next day, officials made arrangements for the child to appear for the examination. That student later secured a rank. Such incidents highlight the importance of providing children with opportunities at the right time. We must ensure that no child is deprived of the opportunity to write an examination for any reason, he said.
The Minister appealed to teachers and officials to extend their wholehearted cooperation and make the Mission-60+ programme a success. Along with improving children’s learning abilities, efforts must also be made to bring about positive changes in them. He urged everyone to make the workshop productive and join hands to take the state’s Education Department to greater heights.
Resource teachers from Dharwad, Haveri and Gadag districts participated in the workshop. Navalgund MLA N.H. Konaraddi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Department of School Education and Literacy, V. Rashmi Mahesh, Director of the Department of Pre-University Education S. Bharath, Dr. Eshwar Ullagaddi and other departmental officials were present.
What is ‘Mission-60+’?
During the 2025-26 academic year, the Department of Education introduced the ‘Mission-40+’ programme with the aim of improving the results of the SSLC and Second PUC examinations. Now, for the 2026-27 academic year, the initiative has been expanded further and a new programme, ‘Mission-60+’, has been launched.
The state-level programme, organised by the Department of Education, was inaugurated today at IIT Dharwad.
The primary objectives of this initiative are to prepare every student to score more than 60% marks in the examinations and to achieve a 100% pass rate in schools and colleges.
Through this initiative, the department aims to improve the quality of learning among students and achieve a 100% pass rate in the state’s SSLC and Second PUC examinations.
