St Margaret’s, North Liberty topped SSLC; MBOSE sees rise in top 20 rank holders to 85

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 5, 2025

St Margaret’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong, and North Liberty Higher Secondary School topped the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Examination, the results of which were declared by the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) here on Saturday.

The number of top twenty rank holders has risen dramatically to 85 this year, up from 37 last year. It is heartening to note that these rank holders represent both urban and rural schools, with some sharing the same positions.

Leisha Agarwal of St Margaret’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong, and Avila Kathrene P Lyngdoh of North Liberty Higher Secondary School, Jowai shared the top position in this year’s SSLC Examination by scoring 582 marks.

The second position went to Evanshan Nongrum of Sacred Heart Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Shillong, and Pori Panday of Jawaharlal Nehru Higher Secondary School, Phulbari.

A total of 63,682 students appeared for the SSLC Examination this year, with 55,473 students successfully passing. Among the pass candidates, 22,726 are male and 32,747 are female. Notably, 18,903 students passed exactly five subjects, while 36,570 students passed all six subjects.

This year’s pass percentage stands at an impressive 87.10%, setting a new record—surpassing last year’s 55.80%.

The number of candidates this year reflects a significant increase from last year’s 54,134, largely due to the elimination of the Selection Test. A similar surge was observed in 2021, following the cancellation of the Selection Test due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, 341 schools achieved a 100% pass rate this year—a substantial increase from last year’s 180 schools.

“The exceptional results this year can be attributed to the dedication of the students, the revised question pattern, and the introduction of the CM IMPACT Guidebook. This Guidebook has proven invaluable, especially for students without access to quality notes for preparation and revision,” said C P Marak, IFS (Retd), Executive Chairman, Meghalaya Board of School Education, Tura.

He said the examination was conducted smoothly, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Education Department, District Administration, Police Department, Heads of Institutions, and the teachers who worked tirelessly throughout the process.

The results were declared earlier than in previous years, thanks to digital interventions by the Board and the new question pattern. For comparison, the 2024 examination was held from 4th–15th March, with results declared on 24th May—over a month later.

Starting this year, Marak said, the Board has introduced the Supplementary Examination, to be conducted within the same academic year. It will take place towards the end of April 2025. Students who have failed in any subject are automatically eligible, and further details will be shared next week.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the schools for their role in nurturing students from diverse backgrounds. The dedication of teachers—true nation builders—has been instrumental in helping students excel. As we celebrate these remarkable achievements, let us continue to work together in the coming years to provide quality education and maintain high pass percentages, securing a brighter future for our students,” Marak stated.