Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 9
According to data, one-fourth of the students passing the school Board exams in Nagaland, each year, are from Catholic Schools. This was revealed via a “comparative result abstract” presented by Rev Dr Jacob Charalel, Secretary, Commission for Education Diocese of Kohima (CEDOK) at an award function for “rank holders and subject toppers” at the recently declared state results for HSLC and HSSLC.
As per the statistical analysis of Rev Charalel, “The total Pass percentage in Catholic Schools is 90.68 for HSLC, 93.27 for HSLC (Arts), 93.78 for HSLC (Commerce) and 94.14 for HSLC (Science),” while 9 schools in HSLC and 5 schools in HSSLC produced 100 percent pass result this year.
He added, “Of the 17,891 regular students from 693 schools in the state, who passed the HSLC examination, 4,183 are from 59 Catholic Schools forming 23.38 percent of the total qualified candidates.”
In HSSLC (Arts), out of the statewide total of 9,940 students, from 170 Institutions, who qualified, 2,218 were from 26 Catholic Schools making up 22.31 percent of the total. In HSSLC (Commerce), 226 were from 5 Catholic Schools consisting 27.1 percent of the statewide total of 835 students. In HSSLC (Science), 514 were from 9 Catholic Schools making up 28.12 percent of the state total of 1,828 candidates.
“The Church will continue to play an active role in the educational progress of the state for the realization of the full potentials of individuals, inculcating values of justice, peace, truthfulness, brotherhood and hard work,” Rev Charalel said in his remark.
The award programme was held at Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Dimapur on June 9, which had Chumchanbeni Kikon, Director, SCERT; Etsungmomo Kikon, President, Naga Council Dimapur and Rev Fr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima Diocese, as special guests.
Further, 20 students from Catholic schools featured in the HSLC top 20. Among the toppers in HSSLC (Arts), 6 students featured in the top 10. In HSSLC (Science), 6 more featured in the top 10; while 5 others figured in the HSSLC (Commerce) top 10.
The 9 schools, which produced 100 percent passed results in HSSLC included Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Kohima; St Paul School, Phesama; St Andrew School, Jotsoma; Christ King School, Angangba; St Xavier School, Shamator; St Peter’s School, Longsa; St Clare School, Akuluto; St Joseph School, Longleng and St Thomas School, Tamlu returned 100 percent passed results.
The 5 other schools, which returned 100 percent passed results in HSSLC (Arts/Commerce/Science) were Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Kohima; All Saints Higher Secondary School, Peren; St Xavier Higher Secondary School, Jalukie; Little Flower Higher Secondary School, Kohima and St Paul Higher Secondary School, Dimapur.
“I believe this is not the end of your striving and hard work; rather it is another departure and resolve to work harder to achieve greater heights,” said Rev Dr James Thoppil. Calling on the students to become agents of change, he challenged the “future leaders, who will definitely occupy chairs of power and influence” to imbibe moral conscience and striving “to live by what you were taught in our schools.”
The NCD President, Etsungmomo Kikon noted the education trail set by the Catholic Church in Nagaland. While stating that the CEDOK has played a pivotal role in the educational progress of the state, nurturing the holistic growth of the individual, he said that it has been possible through “disciplined and valued education.” To the students, he said, “Let the flame of success you lit, continue to glow in your life.”
As an alumna of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Wokha, SCERT Director, Chumchanbeni Kikon recalled her formative years studying in the school. Success, she said, is not achieved overnight. “Success commands a lot of hard work and persistence. Continue to work hard with strong determination. Cultivate a healthy mind… let your success inspire others,” she said, while reminding the students that the success today would not have been possible “if not for your teachers” and the unflinching support of parents.
