Science continues to be the top choice of stream for many of the students from Kolkata schools who made it to the top three ranks in the ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) 2022 merit list.
Eighteen students from West Bengal held the top three positions on the ICSE 2022 merit list. Nine of the 34 second-rank-holders and nine of the 72 third-rank-holders were from West Bengal.
Mohammad Masood Iqbal of The Future Foundation School, who ranked second with 99.6 per cent aggregate, wants to study medicine and become a doctor. “I did not expect to do so well. I am extremely happy with the results and now my primary focus will be on preparing for the medical entrance exams,” said Masood, who has opted for Science in Plus II.
Meghamala Bandopadhyay of La Martiniere for Girls School, who made it to the third place on the merit list with 99.4 per cent aggregate, will study Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science in Classes XI and XII. “I would like to study Physics thereafter. I am looking forward to conducting research in Physics later in my career,” she said.
Aishwarik Dey of Garden High School loves Science as well. “I was expecting good marks but not this. The hard work I put in as well as all the help and support of my teachers and my parents paid off. I didn’t take any private tuition. I think self-study is the key to success,” said the cricket lover.
About 40,736 candidates from 415 schools across West Bengal appeared for the Class X board exams conducted by CISCE. The pass percentage from Bengal stood at 99.98 per cent.
Principals of Kolkata schools said students have chosen their streams in keeping with their aptitude. “Students have selected their streams in keeping with their aptitude, with guidance from counsellors. This time many have opted for different subjects under multiple disciplines,” said Rupkatha Sarkar, principal of La Martiniere for Girls.
Runa Chatterjee, headmistress, The Heritage School, noted a rising interest in research-based subjects. “Students seem to be interested in Finance, creative and research-based Science subjects. Law, Liberal Arts and Visual Arts are the new choices of many children.”
The top rankers included students from St. Patrick’s Higher Secondary School, Asansol; Modern English Academy, Barrackpore; Assembly of God Church School, Asansol; Calcutta Boys’ School, Kolkata; The Future Foundation School, Kolkata; Garden High School, Kolkata; St. Mary’s English School, Nadia; Delhi Public School New Town, Kolkata; Delhi Public School, Megacity, Kolkata; La Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata; Julien Day School, Kalyani; North Point English Academy, Jhaljhlia, Malda; Contai Public School, East Midnapore; Shri Ram Narayan Singh Memorial High School, Kolkata; St. Joan’s School, Kolkata; and Sri Sri Academy; Kolkata.
With additional inputs from Bishwabijoy Mitra.