Virudhunagar district has bounced back to the top ranking in overall pass percentage in 10th examination in the State after a gap of three years when it had slipped to second and third positions. Incidentally, the district has earned the laurels after it tasted a similar success in the Plus Two examination too.
With 98.55% of the 28,574 girls and boys of 340 schools passing out, the district has conquered the top position now after 2013.
This is 4.1% more than that of the State overall pass percentage that stood at 94.4%. Virudhunagar district had also bettered its own result of 97.81% in 2016 when it stood third in the State.
As usual, the girls faired better than the boys. While 99.13% of the girls (14,429 out of 14,555) came out successfully and 97.95% boys (13,731 boys out of 14,019) passed out.Among the 229 schools that had secured centum results, 109 were Government schools.
1st in centum results too
“Our district stands first in the State for highest number of Government schools securing centum results,” said Virudhunagar Chief Educational Officer D. Manoharan, said. “Its heartening that government schools have faired well. This is mainly because of the dedication of the teachers and cooperation from parents and students to follow a well-planned strategy,” he added.
Students also had an opportunity for residential learning for a few days with expert teachers from among government schools to teach them. “The senior teachers who had produced high number of centums in the past were roped in to teach students of other government schools. This also played a vital role,” Mr. Manoharan said.
R. Mohan, Headmaster of Government Higher Secondary School in Chatrareddiyapatti, said that identifying the slow-learners as early as June helped to prepare them well. All 84 students in this school passed and 31 got more than 400 marks.
“We had a separate section for slow learners. But, we named that section ‘A’ giving them confidence. Separate materials were provided to them and special classes conducted during evenings,” he added.
Despite the fact that most of the students who come to government schools were from poor socio-economic background, the teachers’ untiring efforts made it possible, Mr. Mohan said.
In the last few days, at least two parents were present during the late night special classes.
“This made the students realise their responsibility,” Mr. Mohan said.
Intensive teaching
D. Renuka, Principal of Ramana Vidhayala in Rajapalayam, where three students had scored high marks of 498, said that the school concentrated on intensive teaching right from day one.
Special classes in the evenings and Sundays and daily tests with special focus on one-mark questions helped the students understand the subjects well. “No student was left back for their academic skills. But, they were made to put in their best effort to score higher marks,” she said.
One of the students who secured 498 marks, B. Padmapriya, said that personally it was a disappointment for her for the Government decided not to give State ranks. “However, I feel happy as all the students get recognised for their efforts,” she said.
