NONGSTOIN: Four West Khasi Hills schools — three from Mairang and one from Nongstoin — have figured in the top-20 merit list of the SSLC examination 2020.
The four position holders from the district are Dalangkiso Myrthong (Mairang Presbyterian Higher Secondary School, 5th position), M Amebari Nongsiej (Nongstoin Public Secondary School, 8th position), Shubhankit Kumar Singh (St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Mairang, 16th position) and Regan M Nongrang (Tirot Singh Memorial Secondary School, Mawphanniew 18th position).
Anderson Higher Secondary School, which produces toppers from time to time, failed to appear in the merit list this year.
However, it was the only school in West Khasi Hills to secure cent per cent result.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, fifth position holder Dalangkiso Myrthong said that he is trying to get admissions in St Anthony’s School and Army Public School in Shillong.
Myrthong thanked his parents as well as school teachers for the success.
Eight position holder M Amebari Nongsiej said his journey has not been easy.
“Very often, it was difficult to wake up early. I even felt like I could not do it. However, I believed that one day all the toiling throughout the late nights and early mornings will pay off,” Nongsiej said.
“I knew I was vulnerable to the distractions around me since I am a teenager,” he said while thanking those who suggested him to stay away from it.
“Technology has its advantages and disadvantages. I know many children who have become slaves to the internet. But, the internet has helped me in several ways. If we misuse social media, it can become a curse,” he said.
Further, Shubhankit Kumar Singh, 16th position holder said that he did not go for tuition.
Born in Lumsyiem, Mairang, Shubhankit studied for 14 hours a day.
Shubhankit attributed the low pass percentage in the state to gaming, internet and the mobile phones stating that most of the students have no limits.
“We need internet and mobile phones but in a limited way”, he said.
Regan M Nongrang, who bagged the 18th position, has become his school’s first topper since its inception in 2007. He is also the first from his village — Mawphaniew — to bag a position.
And like Shubhankit, Regan, too, had no tuition.