Not So Funny: “If You Don’t Pass Me…”: Students Plead (and Pay) in Class 10 Answer Sheets
Karnataka SSLC exam papers reveal emotional appeals, currency notes as bribes for passing marks
Teachers evaluating Class 10 SSLC exam papers in Chikkodi, Belagavi (Karnataka) were stunned to find desperate handwritten pleas and even cash tucked inside answer sheets, urging them to help students pass.
One student offered a ₹500 note saying, “Have tea with this, sir, and please pass me.”
Another wrote, “If I fail, my parents won’t send me to college,”
while someone else declared, “I’ll continue my love story only if I pass.”
Some attempted direct bribery: “If you pass me, I’ll give you more money,” one paper read.
These emotional and, at times, comical appeals have gone viral, sparking debates around academic pressure, ethics, and the state of education.
Behind the humour lies a serious concern. Students face enormous pressure to perform well, often viewing failure as a personal or family disgrace. With parental expectations, societal comparisons, and fear of future limitations, some youngsters feel driven to desperate measures. For many, Class 10 marks are seen as a turning point that determines their stream, career options, and even social standing.
Experts say this trend reflects a deep-rooted issue in our education system, which tends to prioritise rote learning and exam scores over creativity, curiosity, and emotional well-being. The fixation on marks leaves little room for failure, experimentation, or learning through mistakes.
Ethically, this raises serious concerns. Attempting to bribe teachers even in jest, undermines the sanctity of academic evaluation. It puts educators in difficult positions and reflects a growing mistrust in the fairness of systems meant to assess merit.
The episode has sparked calls for greater emotional and academic support for students, including counseling, exam reforms, and better teacher-student communication. Many believe that change must begin with a shift in mindset, valuing learning over just passing.
