Students check their HSLC results in Imphal on Sunday Picture by Eastern Projections

Imphal, May 31: This year’s High School Leaving Certificate examination results has broken the myth that only city schools can shine, pushing top schools located in the city down in the merit list while private schools continued to maintain their supremacy.

The Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, declared the results today and the pass percentage has come down to 57, one per cent less than that of last year. However, the number of students who secured first division has increased from last year’s 3,842 to 4,025.

Though the top honour went to a girl student, boys secured the remaining nine positions of the first to 10 positions.

Waikhom Nydia Devi of Padma Ratna English School of Kakching in Thoubal district secured the first position while Pareeton Ningombam of Catholic School, Canchipur in Imphal West got the second slot and Yenshembam Chetan Singh of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School of Canchipur bagged the third position.

Interestingly, three prominent city schools — Little Flower School, Nirmalabas School and St Joseph School — did not perform well with Little Flower securing 24th, St Joseph seventh and Nirmalabas 11th position.

Last year, St Joseph bagged the top position while Nirmalabas and Little Flower got the third and fifth positions respectively.

Surprisingly schools located in rural areas put up good results.

“The results have indicated that the competition is getting tougher and wider. Now at least schools located in far-off places, particularly in the valley, have demonstrated that they could compete with Imphal city schools. The myth that city schools are the best no longer holds water,” Amar Yumnam, professor of economics in the Manipur University said.

For instance, of the top 25 positions Thoubal schools got five and Bishnupur two positions. Majority of the schools securing the top positions are also located in rural and far-off areas.

Despite efforts by the state education department under the dynamic leadership of L. Jayentakumar Singh, the education minister to improve performances, government schools failed to do so.

Last year, the government schools could not figure among the list of top 25 position holders. This year’s results also reflect no such changes.

“The education system in government schools have been faulty for the last 20 to 30 years. This cannot be changed overnight. It will take another 20 to 30 years for government schools to compete with the private schools,” Yumnam said.