Having often been perceived from a stereotyped viewpoint, MEDCO Bhujoharry Secondary School (Girls) has today shown that ?small? schools can score as well as those at the top. Where state schools have always been the favorites, today, in the competition of the HSC examinations, MEDCO Bhujoharry Secondary School (Girls) has outmatched 26 state colleges in its success rate. This college has even scored 100% in subjects such as Mathematics, Hindi and Art with 96% in French and 93% in General Paper.

?As rector of the college, I?m very happy about this success. We are extremely proud of it. With poor results in the CPE they have worked hard for good results in the HSC, I might even say that these are the real laureates. It has not been an easy task. I have been motivating my students constantly. Education is the only key to open the doors of the future and our students have become aware of this?, says G. S. Pillay, rector of the MEDCO Bhujoharry Secondary School (Girls).

MEDCO started in January 1994. Since then, the college has been improving its performance, academic standards and infrastructure. MEDCO has always been a caring college for ordinary students. It has always been fighting to get the best out of the students - most come from disadvantaged backgrounds - and has always given special attention and support to them.

● <B>Profile of the students </B>

The students of MEDCO Bhujoharry Secondary School (Girls) are girls with average results in the CPE. Many students come from broken families and mostly from underprivileged regions such as Vallée des Prêtres, La Tour Koeing, Cité La Cure, Batterie Cassée, Tranquebar, Roche Bois, etc. Many of them are beneficiaries of social security aid. These students hardly have the means to pay their exam fees. They cannot even take private tuition due to lack of finance. The college has helped these students to sit for their HSC examinations. This has been possible through government grants through the PSSA and the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of the college.

● <B>A long-term strategy</B>

If today MEDCO Bhujoharry Secondary School (Girls) has scored so well, it?s not a miracle. It has been a long-term strategy which has brought its results today. ?The students have been making their effort while we have been helping them. It has taken time to reach this level. We have been spending a lot on our students. Today they have a proper environment and infrastructure, which are conducive to better results?, comments the rector.

● <B>Motivation, an ingredient for success</B>

?I always motivate my pupils. There has been a close relationship between the students, the teachers and the parents. We have applied strict discipline and have been doing constant follow-ups of the students. We had to work hard with these pupils as from Form I. We have moulded them to get such results. These students have lots of problems and we must be very attentive to them. Today we have students who are eligible for admission to a university. Only constant teamwork can achieve this?, states the rector.

The result of these long-term strategies to improve performance has given a positive new image to MEDCO Bhujoharry Secondary School (Girls). Today, the college can stand on an equal footing with state colleges while affirming its own identity.

<B>Bilkiss JAFFARALLI</B>