In the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) results declared on Friday, the pass percentage of Mumbai division too has dropped to 93.66 per cent from last year’s 96.94.

There is a significant increase in the number of perfect scorers in the Mumbai division from last year’s one student to six students scoring 100 per cent this year. The number of students who have scored 90 per cent and above has also seen a marginal jump from 10,764 last year to 11,785 this year.

A total of 3,35,120 had appeared for the SSC from Mumbai division this year including 1,73,603 boys and 1,16,517 girls. Out of a total 3,13,876 who passed the exam, 1,59,635 were boys and 1,54,241 girls. As usual girls have done better than boys with a pass percentage of 95.49, whereas boys have recorded 91.95 per cent.

Even as the overall pass percentage of Mumbai division has dropped from last year, its performance is better this year, in comparison to other divisions. Last year with 96.94 per cent Mumbai division ranked sixth among all nine divisions, whereas it ranks fourth this year.

Within the Mumbai division, however, Mumbai city and suburbs continue to remain in the bottom three. Mumbai division, which covers the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region, has a total 6 regions — Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs 1 and 2, Thane, Raigad and Palghar. With a pass percentage of 95.58 Raigad tops within Mumbai division.

Pandurang Kengar, from Mumbai School Principals’ Association, said, “It would not be fair to compare Mumbai division with others as we have the highest number of students registering and appearing for the SSC examination.” When asked about Mumbai city and suburbs performance, Kengar said, “It does not indicate that urban students are not focusing on studies. But are more aware about other options available, due to the exposure. Additionally, we also have to understand that Mumbai has students from all demographics. There are a set of students who have no place to study at home. Many Mumbai students also migrated during the pandemic, which caused them immense academic loss.”

BMC-run Mumbai Public Schools

With 84.77 per cent, the BMC-run MPS have seen a major plunge from last year’s pass percentage of 97.10. Out of a total 245 MPC schools, 17,140 students appeared for the exam and 14,529 passed. A total 43 schools recorded 100 per cent results and 50 students scored above 90 per cent. With 95.20 Shubham Singh from Gundavali MPS has topped in BMC school students.

The MPS schools in Mumbai have been gaining a lot of praise in the past few years for good results in board exams. However, talking about the fall in pass percentage this year, Education Officer (Secondary) at BMC, Raju Tadvi, said, “Last year, there were several student-friendly measures due to pandemic impact. Considering that all those facilities were removed this year, students have done really well.”

Competition for admission

The number of students who have scored above 90 per cent has increased in Mumbai, indicating tough competition for Class 11 admissions in Mumbai. SSC students will also have students from CBSE and ICSE to compete with.

Admission to First Year Junior College (FYJC), Class 11 is held online for Mumbai city. Online registration process has already started from May 25.  There are a total of 3,77,695 seats available for FYJC admissions which are likely to increase.