Students seek postponement of CBSE exams coinciding with PM Modi's Kashmir visit

Srinagar, March 05: The students of class 10th and 12th in CBSE-affiliated schools in Srinagar have expressed concern over the scheduled exams coinciding with the PM's March 7 Kashmir visit. With the heightened security measures in place for the Prime Minister's visit, parents are worried about the safety and convenience of their children commuting to the exam centers.

"The problem is that the students used to have their exam centers in their own schools during previous years, but this year, the exam centers have been set up in other schools. Navigating through the security apparatus during the Prime Minister's visit would make the commute even more challenging," an aggrieved parent told Greater Kashmir.

The CBSE has scheduled examination of social studies subject for class 10th students and health care subject for class 12th students on March 7, the day PM Modi is scheduled to address a huge rally at Bakshi stadium in Srinagar.

Earlier, the centres for the CBSE exams were designated with the respective schools of the students. However, this year the CBSE examinations have been set up in different schools, exacerbating the challenges for students.

The parents urged the CBSE authorities to either reschedule the examination slated for March 7, 2024, or provide some relaxation to the students enrolled in CBSE affiliated schools in Kashmir. "We personally took up the matter with CBSE officials, but we did not get any positive response from officials there. They did not agree to reschedule the exam slated for March 7," a school functionary told Greater Kashmir.

Notably, the administration has hired buses from some selected schools of Srinagar to ferry the public to the venue where PM Modi is scheduled to address the people.

However, the clash of events raises concerns about frisking and security checks, as personal vehicles used by students to reach their exam halls may be stopped at various locations.

"The students have been told that their admit cards will be considered as movement passes. But the personal vehicles used by the students to reach their exam halls will definitely be stopped at several locations for frisking and checking purposes. It will cause inconvenience to the students," the CBSE school functionary said.

When contacted, an official from the media department (section) of CBSE said the matter has been brought to the attention of the examination department.

"We have taken up the matter with the examination department and apprised them about the apprehensions of the students and the parents. Any decision taken by the higher-ups will be conveyed accordingly," the CBSE official said.

The story will be updated once Greater Kashmir receives any updates about the decision regarding the exam slated for March 7 of 2024.