By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: It was a red letter day for Shillong College on Thursday as the College, for the first time since its inception in 1956, managed to bag the top position in the merit list of the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination 2013 (HSSLC), Arts Stream, declared by the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE).
Evamagricia Snaitang of Shillong College secured 432 marks to emerge on top of the merit list (Arts). She secured letter marks (80+) in English, Khasi (MIL), Economics, Political Science, Education and History. The resounding success of Shillong College marks a welcome change in trend where leading institutions missed the top slots while other institutions like Laban Bengalee Girls’ HS School (2nd), Anderson HS School, Nongstoin (5th) and KJP Synod Mihngi HS School, Jowai (joint 6th) made it to the merit list.
Evamagricia Snaitang was followed in the merit list by Rabina Kala Rakash of Laban Bengalee Girls’ HS School (408 marks) and Saweini S Laloo from St Edmund’s College (HS Section) (404 marks).
Snaitang, the daughter of Bliss Snaitang hails from a remote village, Tlongpleng in Jaintia Hills and presently resides at Langkyrding.
A Science student initially, Snaitang had to drop out of Science following her ill health. She later took up Arts and has proved her acumen in the stream.
“I feel happy and overwhelmed. This is all due to the help and support of my teachers, parents and the college as a whole. I can’t thank God enough for his love and support all through my preparation even though, I was not in good health,” Snaitang told reporters here on Thursday.
Shillong College, with a total pass percentage of 82, has attributed its success to the students and teachers for their hard work and dedication.
“It is a matter of pride and honour for the college to achieve this success for the first time in 57 years. It is our vision to make this college a premier institution and a centre for excellence. We hope the students would follow in the footsteps of Snaitang ,” Principal of the college, Dr KD Ramsiej, said.
Hoping to achieve similar results in the years to come, Dr Ramsiej said that the management is aiming to promote the college in terms of teaching and infrastructure.
“Within a month’s time, we will construct an indoor stadium in order to improve the students’ facilities,” he added.
The principal further informed that the college is tying up with IGNOU to introduce Master’s degree in five subjects and to improve the teaching facilities.
At present, the faculty strength of the college stands at 115 excluding part-timers.