SSC results 2016: In tight race for high scores, many winners

That Secondary School Certificate (SSC) students won a sporting chance at racking up high scores this year was proved when the results of the examinations were declared yesterday. Many candidates scored a perfect 100, thanks to the return of the sports quota marks. Many schools claim that a number of their students have scored above 90%.

SSC students of Bal Mohan Vidya Mandir, Dadar, celebrate their performance. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Following rampant misuse, the practice of awarding 25 marks to those performing well in sports was discontinued in 2011. It was resumed this year after much brainstorming by experts, who felt that the lure of additional marks would encourage more students to take up sports.

While some school principals say the sports quota marks came as "a blessing" for their student, another cautions that the practice of ‘mollycoddling' them will backfire.

Even the sports quota marks, though, couldn't stop the overall result percentage from dropping to 89.56% from 91.46% in 2015.

Marksheets will be distributed at the respective schools on July 15.

4th
Mumbai's rank among different divisions after Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad. Mumbai also ranks fourth in malpractices.

Keeping one's chin up

Cancer, meet your match

Vidhi Shah, student of ASP Convent School, Ghansoli 69%
Vidhi won't let anything come in the way of achieving her dream of becoming a chartered accountant - not even cancer. "I expected more marks. I had studied so much. I want to apply for re-evaluation, but everybody is telling me to focus on my higher studies, instead," she says. Her father, Mukesh, who does odd jobs in the Vashi market, says despite being asked by the family to take a break from her studies for a year owning to cancer, she was determined not to "waste" an academic year. "A cancerous tumour, in its early stages, was detected in her chest last year. She used to juggle between treatment and studies. Every 15 days, she had to go for blood tests and other procedures, but she never lost her patience."

Paperboy delivers

Hiren Mistri, student of MMN Duggad High School, Virar, 90.60%
A paperboy from Virar, Hiren has two passions - studying to make it big in life and cricket. "Although I am not a very good player, I love cricket," he says. Hiren goes to work at 5 am every day and has been saving up for higher studies in engineering. "I want to make something of my life and ensure a better future for my family," he says.

Trailblazers

No surprises here

Swarali Chodnekar, Student of VN Sule Guruji School, Dadar, 99%
The top score is just another feather in Swarali's hat. She has won 1,187 awards in academics, singing, linguistics, talent hunts and sports like rifle shooting and fencing. An entire wall of her room displays medals, trophies and certificates. Eyeing a score of 100% and a career in cardiology, Swarali had begun preparations right after Std IX. "Halfway through the year, I had finished the entire syllabus," she says.

Keeping his options open

Sharan Shetty, St Joseph's School, Vikhroli, 98.20%
He has figured out that biggest bugbear of students: time management. Sharan says he hadn't expected to score above 90% believes that his ability to finish the papers on time paid off. The Wushu (a martial art) champion wants to pursue mechanical engineering. "If I am not able to get admission to a good engineering college, I will pursue biotechnology," says Sharan, who also played cricket at the school level.