{ முகநூல் கருத்துக்கள்}{ட்விட்டர் கருத்துக்கள்}

Results of Standard 12 and Standard 10 examinations published in May 2008 have several heart-warming elements to them for Kayalpatnam. At the macro level, there has been lot of progress.

Overall pass percentage in the Plus Two examinations (Kayalpatnam schools) was 96.43 . In comparison, last year (2007), it was 95.72. Percentage of students scoring 720 and above (First Class) this year was 78.90. In comparison, last year it stood at 77.49. Number of students who had scored above 1000 this year was 63. In comparision, last year it was 37. The town's average score - which last year stood at 825 - had risen to 842 this year. The highest mark (in terms of total) this year was 1145. Last year, it was 1134. As one can see - by most criteria, there has been progress (though some of it is only marginal).

This year's Standard 10 results have been very good too. Though detailed analysis is not available for all the schools, number of students scoring above 450 has risen sharply. In fact, several students have scored above 480 and the top score in the town this year was 486!

It is very clear many parents and students have started taking very seriously the importance of education. Some go as far as joining their children in top-performing schools outside Kayalpatnam (like those in Namakkal). They realise couple of years sacrifice could make a huge difference to a student's future.

Amidst all this hope, a few words of caution though. This progress needs to be sustained for several years. The above data is primarily from last two years only. Secondly, the performance of boys overall is not up to the mark. For example, among Top 63 students (with the score above 1000), 53 are girls.

The boys' under-performance can be attributed to many things (distractions, lack of motivation etc). Whatever they are, if it is let to continue, Kayalpatnam's future is in serious trouble.

Though we all must take pride in the performance of girl students, the reality is most of them wouldn't be entering the Career/Job market, but the boys will. With their poor score, imagine their prospect: Average college, average career, average salary.

Hence, in the coming months and years, Kayalpatnam must continue the attention on education - with special interest shown towards the performance of the boys.