Sweet November

Two years back when the decision to shift the examination session from November to March was taken by the government, there were voices of strong dissent on this in the public domain. Many experts also talked about the futility of this decision and its adverse impact on the natural cycle of academics and examination in the Kashmir valley.

Though it was said then also that the opinion of the stakeholders will be taken along, but that wasn't the case when the decision was implemented. What was more disturbing was the way the decision was implemented. There was a sense of penalising the people, as if the November session was something  unfavourable to the system. Now that the civilian government is in place and some educational platforms have stirred the issue once more, a quick and valid response has come from the concerned minister.

The expression to change the session back to November from next year is welcome. Pertinent to mention, in the Kashmir valley shifting of the exam session has happened earlier also. Though the shift to March session on the previous occasions happened for an entirely different set of reasons, the decision was finally reversed. It was on such occasions that detailed deliberations were conducted on the feasibility of a session for exams.

The overwhelming opinion has been in favour of the November session as it seamlessly fits with the academic cycle in the Kashmir valley. Since academic period, exams session, and long vocations are determined by the change in seasons, it is almost a naturally guided process. The academic session would conclude around October when the process of conducting exams would start. It is a time when the weather is dry and temperatures are very moderate. The schools have to make no extra arrangement for conducting exams.

For the Board exams we get  enough time to prepare results, as the winter vacations follow. For other classes schools would prepare results, and the next academic session would start even before winter vacations.

This would give advantage to students to utilise winter vacation for completing a significant portions of syllabus at ease and without stress. For those appearing in professional exams, this period would be a bonus, and a shot in the arm. By shifting to March, all these advantages are lost and with that the new session starts in April, almost the middle of the year, wasting precious time, otherwise meant for classwork.