This year's remarkable SSC results
THERE is little question that the results of this year's Secondary School Certificate examinations have been remarkable. With as many as 78 per cent of students qualifying in the examinations and with a clear jump in the number of those who have scored GPA-5, one cannot be in any doubt about the nature of the success. There are, of course, some institutions, 49 in all, which have had zero success. The vast majority of schools have, however, reasons to be happy with the results.
We take this opportunity to extend our congratulations to all those who have qualified at the SSC examinations. They have certainly deserved these results. More importantly, we think their teachers and parents are deserving as well of kudos for the guidance and encouragement they have given these young people. Beyond and above all that, we think the education authorities, with a dynamic education minister in the lead, have rendered commendable service to the country by not only conducting a good examination but also by making sure that the results of the examination are made available in a period of two months. Indeed, the efficiency with which this year's SSC results were disseminated to schools around the country, through various means of technology, is a remarkable commentary on the performance of the education boards and the education ministry. They have clearly demonstrated the possibilities that underline the priorities in our times.
A particular aspect of this year's SSC results is that there has been a good degree of performance in the rural regions. That is a remarkable achievement and shows the increased level of emphasis on studies in educational institutions in our villages. All said and done, however, we now face that old question of accommodation for these successful SSC examinees in the colleges. Predictably there will be heavy pressure on the colleges, which will clearly find themselves in a straitjacket even if they go for a number of shifts in classes. The education minister has spoken of consulting the college authorities on the issue. That is welcome, but infinitely more important these days is the question of how productive a use we can make of all the young people emerging with such remarkable results from our schools and colleges. That calls for a prioritization of the goals of education, fundamentally through promoting specialized education in such areas as IT, teaching, medicare and the like.
It is not possible and neither is it desirable that all students undertake the courses that have traditionally been offered by colleges and universities. The time has now come for emphasis to be placed on developing skilled manpower, from the humblest to the highest levels. And if that is indeed adopted as policy, the government would be well advised to consider setting up institutions where students finishing SSC and HSC can move straight into higher studies in the specialised subjects they plan on taking up as a profession. In other words, human resource development ought to be part of the education we give our young in the future.
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