SSC Result: No student passed the exam from these Mumbai schools

Of the five schools, four are located in the city, primarily serving students from marginalised sections of society. These include two night schools, one private-aided Marathi medium school and one private English medium school. The strength in Class 10 is in single digits in all these schools — most of them in slum areas — with three operating out of tin-shed structures.

While academic setbacks and post-pandemic challenges were cited by the schools as reasons behind the failure, visits by The Indian Express reporters revealed a host of other contributing factors, including students neglecting studies in favour of earning a living. A common factor among all schools continuing operations despite low student numbers was the need to maintain their index number, crucial for the continued registration of these schools in government records.

Daulat Shikshan Sanstha’s High School, Malad

This government-aided Marathi medium school operates out of a simple tin-shed structure in the densely populated Malvani slums of Malad. Despite efforts, the school struggles to attract students due to the prevalent preference for English medium education. With single-digit student populations across Classes 8, 9, and 10 for over a decade, principal Gajanan Zade, with 34 years of teaching experience, expressed shock at the zero per cent result, a first in the school’s history.

Despite having adequate teaching staff, maintaining enrollment poses a challenge, with teachers often scouring the slums for potential students. Of the five students registered for SSC, only two appeared for the exam, with the rest dropping out due to various reasons. The school was started in 1968.

K B Naravat High School, Bhayandar East

This privately-run English-medium school, established in 1996, caters to children from marginalised backgrounds residing in nearby slums. Despite efforts, the school faced a significant loss of students and teachers during the pandemic-induced financial crisis. With just two students appearing for the SSC exam this year, both of whom failed, the school recorded zero per cent pass for the first time. While the school agreed to admit the two students to prevent the expiry of its index number, administration head D K Singh defended the decision, stating they were merely assisting out-of-school students. Singh, however, did not provide current enrollment or staffing details.

“They were denied admission everywhere as they could not even write letters properly, due to immense academic loss after leaving school during the pandemic. Nobody was helping them and we are being brought under the scanner for helping,” said Singh.

Dyandhara Night School, Dahisar East

Operating out of yet another tin-shed structure in Ambawadi, Dahisar, this private-trust-run night school has a single student registered for the SSC exam, a 48-year-old man who was unable to appear due to health issues. Principal Shaligram Dumbre, who also teaches at a day school, highlighted the challenges of maintaining the night school amidst dwindling enrollment and concerns from its trust.

Dyandhara Night School in Dahisar. (Express Photo)

Despite challenges, the school remains committed to providing education to those seeking a better life. While facing a zero per cent pass rate for fresh students, an alumni-turned-private candidate passing in one subject serves as a small victory for the school.

Dumbre emphasised the school’s dedication to continue its operations, even with just one registered student, to maintain its index number and offer educational opportunities to those in need.

Bombay Presidency Education Society Night School, Bandra

Nestled in the cramp Baazar Road in Bandra, BPES has been functional since 1879 and was once run by the Municipal Corporation before the Bombay Presidency Education Society (BPES) took over operations. Operating from the same premises, the trust also oversees a day-school, boasting an impressive result rate of 75 per cent. However, the night school, which had six students registered for the SSC exam— tells a different story, with all four out of them who appeared for the exam failing to secure a passing grade, resulting in a zero percent success rate.

BPES Night School in Bandra West. (Express Photo)

Principal Sarjerao Patil expressed dismay at witnessing a zero per cent result for the first time in the school’s history. He indicated that the outcome was somewhat expected considering the background of the students, many of whom had previously failed SSC exams multiple times in the day-school setting.

“These children have already embarked on the path of earning a livelihood. Many of them shoulder responsibilities at home, relegating education to a secondary priority,” remarked Patil. Among the four students who eventually appeared for the exam, three had to relocate to Virar mid-academic year due to the Slum Rehabilita-tion Authority (SRA) project affecting their original residence and possibly their studies.