The annual examination results of the 10th grade tests have placed Mon state in the first position in Burma, with top scores.

On June 7, the results of the country-wide 10th grade exams were announced, and Mon State secured the top scores of the 10th grade 2008-2009 academic year in the whole of Burma.

Last year Mon state came in 2nd, Tenasserim division was placed 1st, and Yangoon was ranked 3rd. In 2007, Mon state won, securing the 1st place in the whole country.

“We still do not know the percentages in Mon state, who got the highest score in the whole country, or who got second and third place. However, this year the percentage of students, who passed the exams are fewer than last year,” the Principal of a high school in Mon State said.

Mudon Township is the highest scoring township in Mon State, and Thagun Taing High School from Mudon has the highest percentage of students, who passed in Mon State, added the principal.

In other parts of Burma, students, who have passed their exams, are happy. “I am very happy although I did not get distinction. I had hoped to pass with two distinctions earlier,” a student from Yangoon division, who passed the exam this year, said.

Khitpyaing News published an article on June 8, citing a famous school in Yangoon, Dagon High School, which too had the highest percentage of students who passed with distinction. About 844 students took the exam and about 84 percent of the students passed.

“My son did not pass the exam, and I spent about Kyat 2 million for my son last year,” a parent from Mudon Township said. “This year I have to try to support my son again and also my business is not doing well due to the economic crisis,” he added.

According to an IMNA article published on June 3, fewer students joined schools for the academic year of 2009-2010. The number of students have decreased by 10 percent in most schools in Mon state, said a school officer from Mawlamine