Shillong, Apr 7: Out of 48,623 students who appeared for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination, 42,228 came out with flying colours taking the percentage to 86.84.
The result which was declared by the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) today said the percentage was marginally lower than last year’s 87.10 per cent.
Gorkha Pathshala Higher Secondary School emerged at the top, pushing other renowned schools to the bottom, when its student Wangaal Lama topped the merit list, scoring 585 marks.
Vishal Kumar of Embee Rosebud Higher Secondary School, Tura secured the second position with 576 marks. Prajukta Roy of Seven Set Higher Secondary School, Shillong, and Prinita Das of Pechon A Sangma Memorial Police Public School, Tura, shared the third position with 575 marks each.
West Jaintia Hills district recorded the highest pass percentage at 94.99 per cent, while East Garo Hills had the lowest at 72.33 per cent. The top 20 merit list includes 49 students from various schools across Meghalaya.
Speaking to reporters, Lama expressed his elation and said his success felt surreal. He emphasised the importance of dedication and commitment, stating that any student could achieve similar success with effort and perseverance.
Principal of Gorkha Pathshala HS School Amit Thapa hailed the examination results as a historic milestone for the institution. “For the first time, our student stood top in this board examination, with two additional students securing seventh and eighth positions. This is indeed a historic day for the school,” he said.
He said that this achievement serves as an inspiration for current and future students, motivating them to strive for excellence. “We never felt that we are less than the renowned schools in the city. This result will motivate our students and encourage them to believe that we are second to none,” he remarked.
Thapa said with the school’s approaching 150th anniversary, this feat is the most rewarding gift they could receive from their students.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took to X to congratulate the students. “Congratulations to our dear students who passed their #SSLC examinations. Kudos to the toppers who have done their parents, teachers and schools proud! Wishing each of you a successful future. May you always shine!” he wrote.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui also congratulated the students and said the results “speak for themselves.”
He encouraged students who did not clear the exams to remain hopeful, reminding them that failure is not the end. With supplementary examinations set for May, students are encouraged to strive for improvement.
Reflecting on the results, Rymbui noted that this year’s outcomes align closely with those of last year, emphasising the merit list’s diversity. Top performers emerged not only from well-known institutions but also from schools in various regions of the state. This achievement highlights the collaborative efforts of schools and government initiatives aimed at enhancing education quality in Meghalaya, he said.
On queries about the representation of students from lesser-known schools in the merit list, Rymbui highlighted the growing recognition of education’s importance. He cited examples such as Nirupama Memorial School in Garobadha, showcasing that students from remote areas can excel.
The minister encouraged families to utilise upgraded government and grant-in-aid schools locally, promoting the idea that quality education is accessible beyond urban centres.
MBOSE Director Macdonald Marbaniang has attributed the success with a quantum jump in the pass percentage to the rigorous training and dedication of the teachers.
He said that the training provided by the Directorate of Education and Training has significantly motivated teachers, enabling them to diligently push their students towards success.
This year’s question paper standard was designed to challenge students, promoting critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The board implemented competency-based questions, which required students to apply their knowledge effectively. Marbaniang noted that this methodological shift aims to improve overall educational standards by encouraging students to engage more thoughtfully with the material.
In addition to the changes in question formats, the Director said starting this year, the MBoSE will conduct the examination in December. Furthermore, the longstanding “best of five” policy will be revised; students will be required to pass all six subjects to graduate.
Meanwhile, the board has invited applications from students who were not successful to apply for the Supplementary Examination, scheduled tentatively from May 1 to May 8, 2026.
Online form submission for the exam runs from April 14 to April 21, 2026, on the official website mbose.in. Unsuccessful candidates can apply through designated centres for the exam.
