Shillong, May 8: Two schools here bagged the top positions in this year's Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) examinations, conducted by the Meghalaya Board of School Education, in the science and commerce streams, the results of which were declared today.

While St Anthony's Higher Secondary School, Shillong, bagged the first position in HSSLC (science), Seven Set Annexe Higher Secondary School, Shillong, secured the first position in HSSLC (commerce) for the first time.

It was a clean sweep for St Anthony's, that bagged almost all the top-10 positions, except the 10th position that went to Laban Bengalee Boys' Higher Secondary School, Shillong.

St Anthony's bagged the first position in HSSLC (science) with Lawanaibok Kharphuli securing 468 marks. Seven Set's Kavita Joshi secured the first position in HSSLC (commerce) with 451 marks. St Anthony's also produced six toppers in HSSLC (commerce) by securing fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth positions. Purnima Paul of Nongthymmai Nepali HS School, Shillong, was in second position, while Rohit Das of Laban Bengalee Boys' School came third.

A jubilant St Anthony's principal, Father Surjit Tigga, termed the results "a repeat of the school's history" and congratulated Seven Set for its feat in the commerce stream.

St Anthony's has been bagging the first position in HSSLC (Science) continuously for the past five years, though the school had also bagged the first position in HSSLC (commerce) several times, including in 2013. "Their hard work and the teachers' support and guidance have proved that they are the best. We congratulate all the rank holders for making us proud by doing so well," Fr Tigga said.

He said the school has plans to enhance its intake capacity by introducing one more section for the arts stream and also give special emphasis on Khasi subject.

On allegations that mostly toppers in Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination were admitted to St Anthony's, the school authorities said they welcome all students, not only the toppers. "We admit students who seek admission in our school according to our capacity," one of the teachers said.

Vice-principal of Seven Set, E.B. Nongbri, told this correspondent that the school was very happy to have bagged the first position in HSSLC (commerce) for the first time.

"We are proud of the school and we congratulate the students for the hard work and the teachers for their dedication and guidance," he said.

Of a total of 3,662 candidates who sat for HSSLC (science) examination, 2,811 passed, recording a pass percentage of 76.76.

In HSSLC (commerce), out of 2,193 candidates, 1,576 passed, which accounted for an overall pass percentage of 71.87. The HSSLC (vocational stream) recorded a cent per cent pass percentage. All the seven candidates passed the examination.

Nagaland results

Girls fared better than boys in the Nagaland Board of School Education's High School Leaving Certificate Examination, the results of which were announced today, says our special correspondent from Guwahati.

The overall pass percentage of the examination, held from February 14 to March 6, also recorded the best results (70.19 per cent) in nearly a decade. Of a total 22,446 candidates, 15,754 cleared the examination. The last time the pass percentage crossed 70 or above was in 2009. The number of successful girls is 8,178 as against 7,576 boys. Altogether 45 candidates figured in the top-20 list, of whom only 13 are boys. A total of 72 schools, including 66 private schools, secured full pass percentage, while 32 schools recorded zero pass percentage. Thirty of these are government schools.

In terms of district-wise performance for government schools, Kohima district topped the table with a pass percentage of 57, followed by Mokokchung with 51 per cent. Longleng languished at the bottom with seven per cent.

Among private schools, those in Kohima and Phek districts topped with a percentage of 86 per cent, followed by Mokokchung with 85 per cent.

A total of 944 candidates secured 80 per cent and above. Of them, 13 candidates are from government schools.

The Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate examination results were also announced today where, too, girls eclipsed boys with 82.21 per cent pass and the boys at 74.58 per cent.

A total of 271 candidates secured 80 per cent and above in aggregate.