When the tag of 100% pass in the SSLC examination slipped from their hands, they did not sit back and rue their fate. Pulling up their socks, the students and teachers of the Government Ganapath Girls’ Higher Secondary School at Chalappuram, Kozhikode, went about their task with renewed vigour, determined not to give up. And this year, all their efforts have paid off in abundance.
The school not only recorded 100 per cent pass this year but gained the distinction of having 377 students appearing for the examination, the maximum number of students from a school in the State. But for the unrelenting effort of the dedicated group of teachers, hard working students and cooperative parents, this would not have been possible, headmistress P.S. Bhavani told The Hindu .
“The effort starts from smaller classes where we encourage our students to appear for competitive examinations like USS and LSS. Weak students are constantly monitored and given extra care”, Ms. Bhavani said, appreciating the effort of the teachers to make sure that no student is left out.
The special efforts for the 10th Standard start in June/July every year with a motivational and counselling session. The students are virtually divided into six sections based on their academic capability. There will be around four peer groups in each class and the group leaders monitor the activities even in the absence of a teacher. Special classes are conducted before and after the normal working hours on weekends and during the half yearly holidays. A number of tests every term equip the students to face all types of questions.
What this school achieved is not an ordinary feat for a government school, considering the student profile here, as against aided and private schools whose students usually come from rather comfortable family backgrounds.
“Our teachers know each student by their name, their families and financial backgrounds. They conduct house visits occasionally to ensure that the students have an appropriate study environment. When classes are held at odd hours, the students are provided nutritious food”, Ms. Bhavani said.
