With the SSC
results to be announced today, there is a lot of nervous tension and excitement with
students worrying about their scores, their choice of stream and the exciting
new world that is higher secondary school. While most students agree that there
is pressure from parents, many are also chilled out and plan to opt for
something which they like. Earlier it was always Science, but today we see even
the toppers getting into different creative streams. In fact, most students
admit that Arts is the new top choice as it can lead out to so many things.
I have butterflies in
my tummy since yesterday; it’s a mixed bag of emotions. There is no pressure on
me regarding my choice of stream; I have had one goal in mind for the last
seven years, Arts. There are so many subjects you can go forward in after
taking arts. I want to do something in professional designing. I have a
particular HSSC in mind- Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim; I am from
Navelim so it is conveniently located, but more importantly, I find their
education really helpful and good. I don’t think that in this generation
students are forced by their parents to choose a stream, at least not in Goa.
Among my friends, all have a specific goals so percentage won’t matter to them.
VAILANKA RIBEIRO, Navelim, Student of Perpetual Succour
Convent High School
I have twin girls and
they both just finished their Std 10. As a mother, I am confident about them
and know that they have done well. Besides, I won’t be forcing them to choose
any particular stream; they are big enough to understand what’s best for them.
It shouldn’t be that they opt for something they don’t like and then later
struggle with studying. It is their choice to select what they feel is in their
capacity. Even though most of us parents have begun understanding their
choices, there are many out there who are not allowed to choose. Maybe it is
because of society or because they want them to have a higher post. One of my
daughters has decided to take Arts while the other is still contemplating
between Science and Arts.
SAMANTA FERNANDES,
Cuncolim, Housewife
The results do
determine the stream that a student might opt for, another crucial aspect being
the area of interest and the facilities available. Parents in Goa are fairly
liberal, at least the ones I’ve interacted with, and of course they’re always
around to advise. I happened to interact with a young girl who was answering
her board exams and she kept sharing her intentions of pursuing various
streams. One day she wanted to be a banker, the next day, a journalist, and
finally, a politician. This did give me an insight into the fears and hopes
that young teenagers have about going out there and carving a niche.
NATASHA WHEELER, Assagao, Teacher at Dnyan Vikas School Porvorim
Yes, I do feel that
students choose their stream based on their percentage, because nowadays
certain colleges have their own regulations so depending on percentage, they
get that college. I hope we all get good results; while there might be regrets,
we should be happy with the hard work we did by ourselves. I had done an
aptitude test and it showed that I was good in Fine Art, so whatever my
results, I’ll still opt for the same. It is true that parents force children to
choose a particular stream but that is because they want a good future for
them. Yet I feel parents should understand what and how much is the capacity of
their child, based on which, decisions should be taken.
SHAWN FERNANDES, Calangute, Student of Little Flower of
Jesus High School
Will parents force
their kids to take a stream? Mostly not. My parents don’t force me; they told
me to do what I felt was good for me. A friend of mine was forced to take
Science by his parents though he wanted Arts. But he somehow adjusted to it and
being brilliant in studies, he could cope up with Science. Students should not
depend on their percentage to choose a stream. But, if a student wants to get
into Science and has scored fewer marks, he would probably not get to make his
choice and would have to get into arts or commerce. Where is the fair point
now? He/she should be given chance to re-appear for the exams. I would be
however going for Arts, because I like subjects like History and Literature so
even if I score higher than 85%, I or anyone else for that matter should not be
ashamed to choose Arts.
SOHAM PRASAD BHENDE,
Quepem,
Sarvodaya Educational Society’s High School
