SHILLONG, JAN 16: The Meghalaya government has decided to introduce a provision for admission and registration of private candidates for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination under the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE).

After chairing a cabinet meeting on Friday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “We have decided to introduce a provision for admission and registration of private candidates for the SSLC examination under the MBoSE.”

The move aims to provide an opportunity to students who were unable to clear the matric exams or dropped out of school after upper primary level to take the SSLC exam.

“There are large numbers of students who in the past could not clear the matric exams and there are large numbers who also end up dropping out post the upper primary when they enter the secondary level because of different factors,” Sangma said.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the decision will enable students who desire to take the SSLC exam to do so, despite having failed in previous attempts or discontinuing their schooling.

“We want to give that option to them and I am sure it will encourage many such youngsters who for whatever circumstances were not able to clear their matric exams, they will be looking forward to being given the opportunity to do that,” he said.

The provision is expected to benefit a large number of students who were unable to complete their secondary education, providing them a second chance to clear the matric exams.