Results of the just declared HSSLC Exam 2006 conducted by the council of higher Secondary Education, Manipur has signalled a marginal improvement compared to the past few years with pass percentage this time around touching 41.25 percent.

Even though there is still room for more success rate the fact that barring the 2001 examination producing a high of 66.94 percent, performance of students in subsequent class XII examinations slipped into an abysmal level with the lowest point being only 29.52 percent of the total candidates managing to cross the test in 2003.

Factors responsible for the decline in students’ performance need no detailed explanation but it is an undeniable fact that endeavour of student organisations in addition to stringent measures from underground organisations against mass copying in exam halls and use of other unfair means, intent on promoting quality education, has certainly resulted in sorting out hard-working candidates from the also ran.

Concerted efforts of students as well armed organisations in checking the mal-practices normally associated with examinations in the State had also its impact on the Board of Secondary Education conducted matric exams in the recent past.

Low pass percentage owing to curb on malpractices is not a development that necessitates one to run for cover as the end result of the ongoing campaign is to ensure that society’s foundation do not wobble. Such an endeavour would go a long way in churning out deserving candidates who could make immense contribution towards a vibrant and progressive society.

Leaving aside expectations for a brighter tomorrow positive trend of inching towards the 50 percent mark certainly indicate that many students are concentrating on their studies and it is in this situation that parents, Board/Council officials and by no less means contribution of the society is essential to sustain the momentum with provision of necessary aids and accessories of furthering their education.

Parents conceding to their children’s demand for motorbikes/mopeds under the pretext of rushing to tuition centres but ending up instead in local refreshment joints or arming them with mobile phones which the trendily dressed teenagers convert into a gadget for seven days a week Valentines Day would be of little help in promoting quality education.

Accepted that it is nobody’s business when parents desire to guarantee comfort and ensure maximum convenience of their wards but it will also be wrong to presume that elders and individual family need not contribute in preventing the society sliding from bad to worse.

Not many would disagree that education starts from home after which follows cerebral inputs provided by the teachers in classrooms. if reports are to be believed many a class boycott agitation to protest transfers of teacher are instigated by the classroom masters.

Role of teachers in moulding the future generation is of utmost importance more significantly in a strife-torn society like Manipur which naturally arises question on whether the same teacher would like their own ward lose his/her precious time for such a cause instead of getting some invaluable lesson within the four walls of the classroom.

Last but not the least is section of the society - social and student bodies to be precise - always relying on student power to highlight their grievances. Spare the students from non-academic issues and the result will be there for all to see.

It can be guaranteed that contribution from all sections of the society in promoting a conducive academic atmosphere will smoothen the path for attaining near cent percent pass percentage in future examinations.