Board Exams: Another Plea Before Kerala High Court Against Government Decision Not To Grant Grace Marks

Yet another writ petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court by a student challenging the government's decision to not award grace marks to students who appeared for the state board examinations in the academic year 2020-2021.

Justice Anu Sivaraman admitted the matter today and posted it on 22nd July for orders. 

The petitioner is a plus-two student of PMSAMA Higher Secondary School and was the NSS Leader in the previous academic year. He has actively participated in various voluntary missions and training programmes including the State Level Leadership Training Programme for NSS Volunteers. He had also assisted in the construction of houses for the people who lost their homestead in the flood.

Advocate P.E Sajal represented the petitioner in this matter and added that during the pandemic, the NSS team led by the petitioner engaged in the making and distribution of masks to the poor and needy through their Principal.

For the aforementioned contributions, the petitioner is entitled to grace marks at the rate of 2% which is ideally granted to NSS Volunteers carrying an NSS certificate. However, the State on 29th June issued a communication informing that it has decided not to grant grace marks to students in the academic year 2020-21.

Aggrieved by the said communication, the petitioner alleged that it was highly illegal and liable to be set aside as it denied grace marks to him as well. Accordingly, he had purportedly preferred a representation before the State on 2nd July, elaborating on how it is detrimental to the NSS and NCC cadets and how grace marks aid in procuring admission to various courses.

It was also submitted before the Court that despite several similar matters being filed by students and parents, the State failed to take any positive action in their favour. 

The primary contention in the petition was therefore that although it was merely a communication, the same has far-reaching consequences on the petitioner and similarly situated students and their future prospects 

For the aforementioned reasons, the petitioner sought to quash the said communication and a direction to the State to the effect of granting grace marks to the petitioner. It was additionally prayed that the results of the state board examinations may not be published pending disposal of the petition. 

Case Title: Muhammed Murshid v. State of Kerala

Click Here To Read The Petition