By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 5: The air was electric with joy and relief across Meghalaya on Saturday as the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) declared the results of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations. Not only did the state record a historic surge in its overall pass percentage, but the day was also lit up by stories of grit, determination, and dreams, some hoping to become civil servants, and take up government jobs while others aspiring to priesthood.
While students and schools celebrated unprecedented achievements, it was the stories behind the ranks that captured hearts.
At St. Margaret’s Higher Secondary School, celebrations were multifold, as the school had 7 positions among the Top 20. The school had state topper, Leisha Agarwal, who was still overwhelmed by her results and said, “This wouldn’t have been possible without the encouragement from my family and the dedication of my teachers who constantly pushed me to do my best.”
Ranjita Paul, who stood sixth from the same school, dreams of donning the civil services cap. “Balancing academics with extracurricular is crucial. Both shape who we become,” she said, adding that she studied for around 4-5 hours every day as the exams knocked doors
The school’s principal, Maria Ali Thappa, lauded the performance of girls this year and stressed the need to evolve teaching methods. “Girls are consistently outperforming boys. We now need to think of integrating artificial intelligence into our teaching methods to keep pace with changing times,” she observed.
In Upper Shillong, Anamika Singh made history for Gorkha Secondary School by securing the 4th rank—a first for the school. With 572 marks, her disciplined study schedule of 8–10 hours a day bore fruit. “I would like to thank the principal of my school for his guidance and supervision,” said Anamika, who now plans to pursue science in higher secondary and is considering a future in government service.
Principal Ujjal Kumar Rai said her success will inspire many others in the school. “This achievement will serve as a motivation for other students. We are very proud of her,” he added.
At KJP Higher Secondary School, the joy was equally heartfelt. After years of waiting, the school celebrated a position holder, Phidawanbok Wahlang from Myriaw, who also got the highest in computer science —a girl not from the urban spaces and secured the 11th rank.
Principal C Allya, expressing her pride and gratitude, said “It’s been years since our school had a position holder, and this time, it’s a girl from a remote area — not from Shillong or any urban centre. That makes it even more special. She has always been a bright and determined student, and we had great expectations from her.”
On the broader trend of girls outperforming boys, she added, “Girls are naturally more studious and hardworking. But I would still encourage boys to push harder. Healthy competition benefits everyone.”
Speaking to media person, Nandini Kumar of Alpha English Higher Secondary School, Nongpoh, who bagged the 6th position, expressed heartfelt gratitude to her teachers, parents, and her school for their unwavering support. She credited her achievement to dedicated, disciplined study and encouraged fellow students to manage their time effectively between studies and recreational activities to maintain both academic excellence and physical well-being.
Similarly, Ineshabakor Nongrum from Nehru Higher Secondary School, Umsning, who was ranked 14th, shared her joy at securing a place in the Top 20. She thanked her teachers and parents for their constant encouragement and guidance through challenging times.
Emphasising the importance of consistent effort, she revealed that aside from attending tuition classes, she dedicated 7 to 8 hours daily for exam preparation. Ineshabakor also advised her peers to use mobile phones wisely to avoid distractions that could impact their academic focus.