Delay in announcement for syllabus relaxation puts students under stress
The government however, remained adamant to hold exams in November stating that it will consider reducing the syllabus and students will have more options in terms of questions and answers “as they have not been able to complete the studies due to the prevailing situation in Kashmir.”
After playing the “relaxation card” to woo students towards exams in mid-November, the government is still indecisive to announce the pattern of relaxation, stressing students.
Amid unrest, the JK government decided to hold exams from November which had come for severe criticism from students, parents and teachers who sought deferment of exams till March next year.
The government however, remained adamant to hold exams in November stating that it will consider reducing the syllabus and students will have more options in terms of questions and answers “as they have not been able to complete the studies due to the prevailing situation in Kashmir.”
“The Government will explore various options in consultation with the Education Department and the State Board of School Education to ensure that the students appearing in various Board examinations have more options and their academic year is not lost,” the Chief Minister had said.
Kashmir Post received several emails and phone calls from aggrieved students who complained that they were subjected to mental trauma and depression amid the ongoing chaotic situation.
“Government claims to save our future but the students are under distress given the delay by BOSE to announce relaxation in our syllabus. We can’t study in such disturbing situation,” the students said.
Following the announcement by CM, BOSE- the exam conducting agency, was tasked to start an exercise to finalize the pattern of relaxation to be provided to students in their exams; however it delayed the formal announcement, leaving students in distress.
“The government is adamant to hold exams from November but its delay to announce the relaxation in syllabus will ruin our career. The authorities politicized the exam issue at the cost of the future of students,” a group of class 12 students said.
Delay in announcement for syllabus relaxation has given rise in rumors about deferment of exams till March. “We are confused with the government indifferent attitude towards students, neither they agree to delay exams nor we got any relaxation in syllabus,” the students said.
Earlier, Chairman BOSE Zahoor Ahmad Chatt had said the announcement for relaxation in syllabus will be made on Saturday (October 29) however the claims fall flat given the government failure to make it public.
“BOSE has completed its exercise for syllabus relaxation but the announcement is delayed for unknown reasons. The higher ups in the school education department are still divided over the issue,” a senior official said wishing not to be named.
Amid the uncertainty the government is tight-lipped and has directed all the officials (who are authorized to talk to media) not to entertain phone calls from media over the issue.
“There are strict directions to officials not to speak on the exam issue,” a senior official in BOSE said.
Meanwhile, students protest continued against the government decision to hold exams in November.
Scores of students in Budgam held protests and sought deferment of exams till March saying that the situation was not conducive to hold exams.
“In 2014 only seven percent schools were affected by floods but PDP sought preference for elections over exams. That time BOSE had already issued dates and students had completed maximum portion of the syllabus as well,” the students said.
“We are in trauma and depression as we have witnessed bloodshed. Government is forcing us to appear in exams at a time when we can’t breathe due to smoke coming out of Pava shells.”
Minister for education Naeem Ahtar, Secretary School education department Shalin Kabra and Chairman BOSE Zahoor Ahmad Chatt didn’t respond to repeated calls from Kashmir Post.
