I have noticed that many schools and colleges in Manipur consider the number of students who pass out in "first division" as a yardstick for the success rate of their school or college. As a child I have always wondered what a first division meant. Since people were satisfied and happy with a first division result in the exam, I also wanted to pass with a first division in the Board exams. But as I grew, I found out that first division means an aggregate percentage of 60% or more marks. Ever since I found out what first division meant I have been wondering if "first division" is a misnomer. Should an aggregate percentage of 60% or more be called first division?

In Manipur parents and their sons and daughters alike are happy with a first division result. If one gets an aggregate percentage of 60% - 69%, it is just 20% - 29% more than the pass percentage of 40% and it will still be called a first division. And most of the students study to pass with a first division and I think it does not really matter to the students if they pass with a 60.5% or a 99% aggregate percentage, what really matters to them is the "first division" result on their certificate. As a result the attitude of the general public in Manipur is to pass with a first division. They should be let known that first division is just not enough but a high aggregate percentage is important.

It is not unusual to see students seeking admission for higher studies outside the state always try to give an excuse that Manipur Board of Education or Manipur University are not lenient and the students always get less mark. This is somewhat similar to the old Manipuri adage "if you do not know how to dance, don�t blame it on the floor" (jagoi saba heitraga, shumang da taina ganu). Instead of blaming on the floor, people should change their attitude and try to get higher marks in exams.

I feel that if a higher level of expectation is maintained, the students will also perform accordingly. The 60% benchmark is too low to be considered as a first division, it is really a misnomer. One way to have their attitude changed would be to have a letter grading system.