Dharwad:  Dharwad, which had fared well in the last year SSLC examination after the introduction of passing package, the Education Department is now embarking on another educational programme - scoring package, which aims to earn ranks to the district.

In 2015 SSLC examination, the district had dropped to 25th position and the Education Department had come under sharp criticism from not only parents, but also from educationists, academicians and elected representatives.

To retain the 'educational hub of north Karnataka' tag, the Education Department in 2016, launched a new education programme titled 'Passing Package'.

Under this programme, the students and the schools which had performed poorly in the mid-term examinations, were identified and special coaching by roping in services of government teachers and also retired teachers were organised. This apart, to help learning easy, guides too were circulated to the students. This exercise of the department yielded good result to the district which climbed up to 10th position in the SSLC ranking last year besides improved its passing percentage from 80% in 2015 to 85% in 2016.

Now, scoring package has been introduced on lines with passing package. Under this programme, the department is trying to motivate brilliant students to earn ranks to the district.

The department has made a list of students who have scored above 90% in the preparatory examination and special training of 15 days has already begun for such candidates. Subject experts and PU college lecturers have been hired to prepare these students to get ranks in the Board examination.

More than 500 students from the district have been qualified for this special training wherein they will given extra two hours coaching by experts and see that they get good ranks in the 2017 SSLC examinations scheduled to begin from March 30. Even, the preparatory exam answer sheets of these students would be observed and help the students to overcome the mistakes.

Mathematics, Science, English and Social Science are the four subject where the students can get 100 out of 100 marks and hence, the department is trying to tap the potential of the students, said education department officials.

This apart, the passing percentage too is being conducted and the department aims to rank Dharwad in top five districts this year.