The controversial decision by the J&K government to conduct Class 10 and 12 examinations from mid-November has triggered an uncertainty of sorts in the state’s Education department, with teachers and school heads urging the state authorities to defer the tests for now and take steps for peace in the Valley.
On Monday, Kashmir Post talked to scores of teachers and school heads to get their feedback over the decision of holding exams in November despite stiff resistance by the student community and academics. There were very little takers for the decision, with majority of school heads and teachers opposing the move in view of the prevailing situation in Kashmir.
“It’s not possible to motivate the students to appear in the exams at this juncture. The government should defer the exams and take steps to create a congenial atmosphere for students to appear in exams,” said M M Gulzar, Principal of Government Higher Secondary School Nagri in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
He said the government may succeed in holding exams in few Civil Lines areas and places close to borders, but a majority of students elsewhere would, in all probability, stay away from exams.
“Students in Karnah, Keran or other border areas may appear in the exams in November but students in rest of Kupwara areas won’t abide by the decision,” he said.
A school principal in Ganderbal district expressed dismay over the “uncertainty” caused the by the exam issue, saying “it has now increased the risk factor for teachers to be deputed for examination duties in different schools.”
“We are caught in a Catch-22 situation. The Government is taking decisions without considering the ground reality. Our teachers are not allowed to open the school to mark their attendance, which has triggered security concerns among them,” the school head, who wished not to be named, said. “The government should defer the exams by some months and take steps for restoring normalcy and peace in Kashmir.”
The principal said holding exams is a routine issue but “now it has become a bone of contention between government and students. Government should reconsider its decision and not use it as a key to show normalcy in Kashmir. This way the situation will turn ugly.”
Pertinently, the government has come under fire from teachers and students for its decision to hold exams from mid-November, with students hitting the streets to demand deferment of the tests till March next.
“Students are right in their decision. The Government should defer exams for some time and work on relaxation in syllabus for students. Keeping in view the present situation, it should take a decision in favour of the students,” said Principal of Government Girls HSS Baramulla.
Meanwhile some school heads expressed serious concern over the ongoing situation, saying the career of thousands of students is at stake.
“Deferment of exams to March will serve a purpose only if government assures that situation will be normal till that time. We should be able to reopen schools and start winter schooling to compensate the losses. Otherwise exams should be held as per schedule,” said Qazi Romana, Principal of Kothi Bagh Girls HSS here.
She however said the government should identify students who have been put under preventive custody or booked under Public Safety Act and make efforts to release them.
Principal of Boys HSS Baramulla, Mehraj-ud-din Fafoo put the ball in students’ court and said government should take the community on board before holding exams.
“We need to look for benefit of students. It depends on students and their parents whether they will cooperate with the government decision or not. Community needs to decide,” he said.
“Students have completed only 30-40 percent syllabus in schools which needs to be taken into consideration,” he said.
Amid exam controversy, the J&K government recently sought deferment of by-polls for Anantnag segment and conveyed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) that that situation was “not conducive” for holding the exercise at this stage.
“Government has to conduct exams in all the districts which requires a conducive atmosphere for students. Situation can take ugly turn if students assemble outside exam centres or on roads. Situation can turn volatile at any stage,” said Principal of Boys HSS Handwara.
“In Handwara people don’t allow private transport to ply, so how will it be possible for students to reach the exam centres?” he asked.
The Principal said students have completed only 30 percent syllabus and haven’t attended their practical classes as well.
“Earlier this year Handwara town witnessed a law and order situation which resulted in closure of schools for almost 15 days. Then our schools continue to remain shut for the past three months in wake of the ongoing unrest,” he said.
The school heads however slammed use of force on students who lost their vision in forces’ action, thus ruining their future.
“It is unfortunate that students were a target of forces’ action in the ongoing unrest and now the government is showing concern for the future of same students. The situation is painful for us as most of our students are languishing in jails while as some lost their vision,” said a group of 10+2 lecturers in Srinagar.
“I don’t feel it is good to hold exams in November as the situation is not conducive. Government should defer exams for some time till normalcy is restored,” said Principal MP Model HSS Srinagar, Rifat Bashir.
