HS-2018 results: Cotton College (University) glow fades

GUWAHATI, May 31: As in the few previous years, the colleges and higher secondary institutions located in the districts, sub-divisions and far flung areas of Assam have come out with flying colours in the Higher Secondary examination-2018, the results of which were announced today. Most ironically enough, Cotton University (the earlier historic Cotton College) has seemingly fallen by the wayside with just one candidate from the premier institution securing a face saving position among the toppers in all the streams taken together.

Ujjawal Jain of Cotton University secured the 10th place in the Science stream scoring 471 marks out of 500. Other than this face saving performance by Ujjawal Jain, Cotton University is apparently in the wilderness so far as the toppers in the HS examination are concerned.

While in HS-2018, 483 candidates appeared in the examination in the science stream, 426 passed in the first division, 45 in the second and nil in the third with pass percent being 97.5. Number of candidates who secured star marks is 224.

In the Arts stream, 171 candidates appeared in the examination, out of whom 139 secured first division, 18 second division and 14 third division. While pass percentage stands at 100, number of candidates who secured star marks is 84.

Earlier, in 2016, 486 candidates appeared in the Science stream and 6 candidates from Cotton University came within the toppers. While 369 candidates secured star marks with 478 in the first division, the pass percentage stood at 100.

Likewise, in the Arts stream in 2016, as many as 161 candidates appeared in the HS examination out of whom 146 secured first division, star marks holders being 111 and pass percent being 98.75.

Again in 2017, 490 candidates appeared in the Science stream and 2 candidates secured position among the toppers. 469 secured first division with 289 securing star marks and pass percentage being 99.3

Similarly in the Arts stream, 168 appeared in the examination of whom 151 secured first division, star marks holders being 101 and pass percentage being 100.

From the above data, it is crystal clear that there has been a steady decline in the performance by Cotton University in the Science stream. In 2016 the institution could secure 6 places among the toppers while the pass percentage was 100, in 2017 there were only 2 toppers while the pass percentage came down to 99.3. In 2018 the performance declined still further with just one candidate managing to secure a place among the toppers, while the pass percentage further declined to 97.5.

Talking to The Sentinel, Academic Registrar (I/C) of Cotton University Mahadev Patgiri said that quality of education imparted cannot be determined solely from the number of positions obtained among the toppers. On being asked if sufficient priority is not accorded to the HS section after the college has been upgraded to a university, he said that more importance is given to HS and accordingly a decision has been taken to end all classes within 3 pm to give time to the students to study. So far as Ujjawal Jain is concerned, he is the son of Ashok Jain and Anita Jain of Dhala Bazaar in Tinsukia district. He wants to be an engineer and has opined that he opposes the Citizenship (Amendment ) Bill, 2016.