Lure of grace marks behind appeals

KOCHI: It is alleged that the majority of the appeals filed in connection with the Ernakulam Revenue District Youth Festival, that ended last Friday, are based on seeking grace marks for the SSLC and Plus-Two examinations.The majority of the appeals are from those studying in Class X and Plus-Two, said Deputy Director of Education (DDE), M D Murali. Any student who qualifies for the state youth festival is eligible for an additional 30 marks for his or her public examinations.On the other hand, the students said that they have filed the appeal as this is their last opportunity to participate and that they want to make it to the state-level contests. Around 121 candidates have lodged appeals, said the DDE. Majority of the students who have lodged appeals are from Ernakulam district and most of them are in dance items, he said. A few candidates may also move to court, he said and in most cases the court directives have been in their favour.A three-member committee comprising DDE, Regional Deputy Director, Higher Secondary education, and Assistant Director, VHSE, has been formed for the purpose. A six-member team of experts in different art forms will be present at the hearing. "We will screen the appeals and consider only the just ones," he said. The hearing will be held on Monday and Tuesday at SRV Higher Secondary School, he added.