KC headmaster laments MBoSE’s Dec schedule for board examinations

SHILLONG, Nov 1: Kiddies Corner Secondary School Headmaster Brian Wallang has questioned the Meghalaya Board of School Education’s (MBoSE) decision to hold the SSLC examinations in December, saying the schedule deprives Class 10 students of opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities during their final year at school.
Kiddies Corner Secondary School, a co-educational institution which will be completing 50 glorious years in 2028 and was founded by the late Sheila Wallang, hosted its annual school concert on the school premises on Saturday. Commissioner and Secretary, Education, Vijay Mantri, was invited as the chief guest and Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times, as the guest of honour for the occasion.
The KC Headmaster rued the fact that the Class 10 students could not participate because they have to write their final SSLC examinations in December. “I wonder why the government has set December for the SSLC examinations because it deprives Class 10 students of co-curricular activities in their last year at school. They were all so keen to be part of the school concert, but their parents were not keen to see their children involved, as it would take away their study time,” Brian said, and wondered why MBoSE did not consult school principals across the board

while taking this decision.
Also, Wallang thanked all those present, but more so the parents, who co-operated with the school in bringing their children for practice even on holidays.
On display were flashes of genius through presentations by the Nursery and KG children, who acted out the different seasons in their outfits.
The Middle School students also played their part, but the icing on the cake was the performance by the High School students, which had a lesson for the audience – children should be allowed to choose their career goals, and parents should support whatever brings out the best in their children instead of pushing them to fit into a mould they have created.
The musical ‘Breakin’ Free’, performed by the High School, was outstanding. It showed students who wanted to shine in the arts, academics and sports, provided they put their hearts and minds to the task. It is not an either-or situation, as most parents tend to think, and that was proven by the students, who put up a superb performance. Kiddies Corner is also the only school that conducts bi-monthly cleaning of the Umkaliar River and is part of Operation Clean-up.
Vijay Mantri seemed mesmerised not just by the musical talent but also by the expressions on the faces of the choir members, who sang while their classmates acted on stage. Mantri said he had recorded some videos of the songs because he was delighted by the expressions and the passion with which the students sang. “Education is the all-round growth of the individual and not just about securing good marks. The students here seem to be well-rounded personalities. I am glad I accepted the invitation to this concert and, thankfully, today is a Saturday, so I had some time to spare,” Mantri remarked. He also lauded the teachers and the school management, who, he said, must have put in a great deal of effort to put up a grand show.

The nearly three-hour concert saw quick stage management and an orderliness rarely seen. Kiddies Corner is also the only school whose choir has participated in international competitions and brought laurels home. Recently, Kiddies Corner also participated in the Asia Oceania Kettlebell Sport Championship Competition in Goa, where Iaphilaihun of Kiddies Corner was adjudged the best junior lifter, while Raikom Timung also won gold in the junior category and Brian Wallang won the silver medal.