Bhubaneswar, Mar 20: Close to 10,000 students who had registered for the High School Certificate (HSC) examination in Odisha this year did not appear for the tests, according to figures presented in the State Legislative Assembly, raising concerns about student retention and participation.

School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond informed the House that out of 5,46,876 students who filled examination forms, only 5,36,946 actually appeared. This leaves 9,930 students absent, resulting in an absenteeism rate of 1.81 percent.

The revelation has sparked fresh debate over why a significant number of students missed one of the most crucial school examinations. Experts and past trends suggest factors such as economic hardship forcing students into work, seasonal migration, health issues, and lack of academic support after registration contribute to such absenteeism.

The Board of Secondary Education, Odisha successfully conducted the exams with modern safeguards, including AI-based monitoring and secure question paper distribution. However, despite smooth administration, the absentee numbers highlight deeper systemic challenges.

The data has once again drawn attention to the urgent need for stronger student support systems to ensure higher attendance and completion rates at the secondary education level.

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