The results of the High School Leaving Certificate Examination conducted by Board of Secondary Education, Manipur has been declared. A comparative statement of results prepared by the BOSEM for the last ten years indicates certain features that need to be taken note of, especially by those who are being entrusted with the onerous task of bringing about a positive change in the floundering educational scenario of the State. Among other things, the statement indicates a gradual decline in the percentage of students who successfully passed the examination for the last two years in a row after a brief spell of positive increase. This point acquires a deeper significance in light of the much publicized and widely discussed education policy unveiled by the Education Minister only a couple of years ago, touted to usher in the much anticipated and necessary change in the education sector. A continuation of the effort saw a large number of teachers being recruited under various schemes and projects. Unfortunately, such efforts and preparations have evidently failed to produce result. While one may arguably raise the objection of the extreme difficulty of turning things around in such a short period of time, it needs to be recognized that the efforts and resources being utilized to bring about that elusive change in education system will most certainly turn out to be a futile attempt until and unless the old system is disturbed and agitated. Setting up “Model Schools” irrespective of the numbers, or recruiting more and more teachers, however qualified and enthusiastic they may prove to be, is not the solution to the protracted dilemma facing the society at present, as has been confirmed yet again by the results. Perhaps, the think tank of the Government grappling with the issue of improving the education system should consider rocking the boat and start thinking out of the box, giving more emphasis on finding out methods to motivate and keep the students interested and curious. Inter-school competitions, exchange programs, workshops and other occasions that would help student-teacher bonding could build up the rapport missing in almost every Government-run school in the State. A few clues from the top private and mission schools on the ways to managing educational institutes will go a long way in rectifying the irregularities and omissions. Assuming all these and every other necessary changes been made, the students still have a very serious obstacle to overcome, in that there still is no institute worth the name in the state that can compete with other top institutes and colleges in other parts of the country. This gives rise to a sort of exodus of young minds who, out of necessity more than preference, had to seek admission outside the state, draining out precious financial resources and imposing a huge financial burden on their parents. It would be stating the obvious to say that these bright young minds, after the completion of their chosen courses, will be gainfully employed outside the state, another blow to the opportunity to utilize their expertise and newly acquired talents for the benefit of the society. The only way out of this perennial brain drain is to bring about a reform with a concerted effort from all quarters having a stake in the educational development in the state, and to draw up, and more importantly, to implement a practical and viable plan of action that effectively address every aspect of the sector.
