Mark normalisation: Parent moves HC

Issues regarding mark normalisation have cropped up this year also. A mother from Thalassery, representing her minor son, has moved the High Court challenging the government’s normalisation process.


She stated that her son lost marks and options as the normalisaton formula followed this year is almost the same as last year. The HC had stated last year that the formula adopted for normalisation was irrational. The CBSE and ICSE Plus-Two students have stood to lose while those following the state syllabus have gained by the process, it was alleged.


The petitioner also stated that her son is likely to lose the professional course. This is a violation of equality clauses. The normalisation formula is almost the same as last year as it is difficult to come up with an apt one for different syllabi and evaluation methods, according to the parents.


The CBSE and ICSE students have lost marks and ranks due to the normalisaton process this year. Like last year the plus two marks were considered as such for state syllabus while CBSE and ICSE marks were normalsied, they said. As the mean for the latter is high the CBSE and ICSE students  stand to lose after normalisation.


It is difficult to zero in on an apt scientific formula for normalsation. Moreover, there is no common curriculum evaluation in the country. Against this backdrop a national entrance examination would be the ideal solution. Even as the Education Minister has said no to a national entrance examination, experts in engineering such as R V G Menon, and Achuthsankar S Nair, have supported the national entrance exam.