Mangaluru : The Mangaluru City Secondary School Headmasters and PU College Principals Association on Thursday felicitated 264 students from schools, affiliated to the association, who have been toppers in the recently held class 10 examination.

The association also felicitated headmasters and headmistresses of 71 schools from Mangaluru South, Mangaluru North and Moodbidri education blocks, where all the students who wrote the class 10 examination have passed.

Speaking on the occasion, Francis Xavier Gomes, administrator of Milagres Group of Institutions, called upon the association to not just recognise students who have excelled in academics, but also those who have done well in sports and other extra curricular activities. “We need to felicitate achievers. We have to look not only at academics, but all round development,” said Mr. Gomes, who has been in the field of education for over three decades. He asked teachers to speak with children and give a boost to the talent they possess.

Deputy Director of Public Instruction Walter D’Mello applauded efforts put in by teachers across the district in drastically improving performance of students in the class 10 examination. “Teachers have toiled day and night. That has made the ranking of district jump from 29th place last year to the 8th this year,” he sad.