This trio scored 100 per cent in SSC while nurturing their artistic passions

In 2017, the Maharashtra government had announced that state board students, proficient in drawing, classical and folk arts, would get 10 to 25 extra marks in Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams. According to the Government Resolution (GR), students who learn classical dance, drama and music for at least five years and pass a minimum of five exams from government-approved institutions will get 15 extra marks in SSC scores, while those who pass three exams can get 10 extra marks. Ten students from Pune division have secured 100 percent marks in the exams.

Naik has learnt classical music since she was in class one and wishes to take her Visharad exam soon. She plans to continue learning music even as life takes a turn and college will soon begin. About her board results, she said, “I am feeling really really good. Since the beginning I decided to study sincerely and get good grades. Of course the aim was not 100 percent, I was just aiming for good grades. Not just this year, till ninth standard I have had a good record academically, so of course I wanted to keep at it for boards”.

About the kind of support she received from her family in the last year, Naik said, “My parents supported me a lot. They never said you must get so and so percentage. Study the way that keeps you happy. My brother had also studied in the same school. So he was a great source of support and a guide. Every time I was tense, he gave me the right tips”.

Rashmi Naik, Prajakta’s mother said, “Throughout the year, she scheduled things properly, participated in school competitions. She used to also do morning prayers everyday. With a lot of discipline, she studied, so she wasn’t that stressed before the exams”.

Deshpande said, “We have been waiting for the results since the exam was over. It’s a great feeling, I can say I am on cloud nine”. About his strategy of studying he said, “From day one, I didn’t feel the burden of exams. I studied from time to time. So at the last minute I didn’t feel any pressure”.

Deshpande got useful tips from parents and teachers and made sure to utilise them during exams. “One important thing that all the teachers maintained was to make sure the presentation and handwriting is good. The school also conducted five prelim exams. During those, I practised presentation, so during boards it wasn’t that difficult”.

His mother, Suvarna Deshpande, said, “At home, everything was peaceful, he studied from day one. He didn’t miss school even a single day and he listened to all his teachers sincerely. As parents we just ensured if he completed his everyday tasks consistently”.

Ghanekar owes her result to her discipline of self study. “I studied a lot and didn’t join any classes. The prelims held in school were a great help. Everyday after school, I would revise everything that was taught and make notes. I knew I would score well, but not that it would be 100 percent”.

Her mother, Vaibhavi Ghanekar said, “She studied well throughout the year and we were there by her side. In her future decisions also we will support her, whatever stream she chooses to study”.

Ghanekar plans to take admission at an arts college and is inclined to study psychology.