Kamal Ghorui
Aizawl: A fresh debate has erupted in Mizoram’s education sector after the Mizoram Independent Schools’ Association (MISA) objected to the decision of the state govt and the Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE) to discontinue the publication of merit rankings, distinctions and division classifications in Class X and XII examination results.The association, which represents private school owners across the state, on Friday termed the move ‘deeply disappointing’ and warned that the new results format could gradually erode students’ academic motivation and competitiveness.Addressing a press conference in Aizawl, MISA president Lalnunkunga Sailo criticised the revised policy adopted by the MBSE, under which the board has stopped publishing Top 10 merit lists, subject toppers, letter marks and division categories in its official result books from this year onwards.The board has defended the change as part of a broader effort to reduce unhealthy academic pressure, discourage rote learning and promote competency-based education rather than rank-oriented competition.However, MISA argued that the decision ignored the realities of the local educational environment.“The move will undermine healthy academic competition among students, which is essential for encouraging excellence,” Sailo said.Describing the policy as a ‘serious dilution’ of educational standards, the MISA president questioned the justification offered by the board and the school education department for introducing the new system.
