KATHMANDU: Academicians and educationists have appreciated this year’s School Leaving Certificate results, which saw a record high pass percentage. Out of a total of 388,522 students, who appeared SLC, 256,489 got through. This year 68.47 per cent examinees passed the SLC, against 63.73 per cent last year. This is an increase of 4.74 per cent. Speaking to mediapersons at Reporters’ Club on Monday, Professor Tirtha Raj Khaniya said the result was outstanding in the 75 years of SLC examination. “The guardians, students and schools have got the highest return of their investment,” he said. According to him, a uniform pass percentage in all the districts could be called satisfactory — otherwise, it needed an investigation. Gita Rana, president, National Private and Boarding Schools’ Association Nepal, appreciated the result. “In this competitive time, there is a need to increase investment in the sector. Improved law and order situation can also contribute to a better outcome,” she said. Calling the government’s move to put an end to enlisting top 10 achievers of the school education good, she said the board toppers’ list had created unhealthy competition among schools. Umesh Shrestha, president, Higher Secondary Schools’ Association Nepal, said, “The result is encouraging. But there is no infrastructure to take in the successful students in higher education at a time when Tribhuvan University, the nation’s largest educational establishment, has decided to phase out the Proficiency Certificate Level.” “The overall pass percentage in private schools is 98, which means the teaching-learning atmosphere in public schools needs to be improved,” he added. “Public schools should be operated in the Public Private Partnership model in order to enhance their competitiveness and stop politics in them.”