We don’t give up on students: 0% SSC results school

MUMBAI: A Nalasopara school earned the dubious distinction of being the only one in the entire Mumbai region to get 0% success rate in SSC results announced on Monday. The division comprises Mumbai, Thane and Raigad.
Just two students had appeared for their SSC exam at Shishu Vidyalaya, a private Gujarati medium school. They had registered as private candidates through the school.Both failed.
At a time when schools strive to get a 100% success rate and expel or detain students who may not be able to pass SSC, what sets this school apart is that it refuses to lose faith in its students.
The school’s last SSC batch was in the previous academic year. Now, it only offers classes up to Class VII.
The boys were part of the school’s last SSC batch; they could not pass the exam in both March and October either.
The school hopes to convince them to reappear for the fourth time this October. “One has failed Maths, the other Maths and Science. We want the boys to have a good future. They have the potential. They just need guidance,” said principal Mallika Shah.
Both the boys help their fathers who are carpenters. “Their major problem is that they keep bad company. Their IQ may be a little low but if they put in a little hard work, I am sure they will make it. After that, they shall probably join their family business.”
The zero pass percentage has not deterred the school. “When we had tenth grade, we always got good results. In this case, the school can only help up to a point. The families are keen on making the boys reappear for exams but they don’t have an inclination towards studies. But we shall never give up on them. A child’s future is very important,” said Shah.
In the state, schools with zero pass percentage decreased to 21 from 105. Those with a success rate lower than 30% also shrank to 35 from 360, indicating improved performance.