SSLC Examinations: Testing Times
Finally, the state government has decided to go ahead and conduct the SSLC examination, subjecting itself to one of the most crucial tests yet in office. More than eight lakh students are appearing for the examination being conducted in more than 3000 centres. The Department of Public Instruction has released a manual with guidelines on the safety measures students should adopt while appearing for the examination. This time, students are facing the specter of dual examinations – the textbook-based examination and the one induced by the coronavirus.
The government, on its part, has taken several precautions including providing free transport to students, but it is still not clear how successfully these measures can be implemented on the ground. Conducting the examination smoothly is the real challenge for the government. A failure to do so will make the government pay a heavy price in more ways than one.
From the perspective of students, they have had enough time and opportunity to make adequate preparations for the examination. But the fact that they need to appear for the examination in the backdrop of the coronavirus and the anxiety and confusion arising out of it is adding to their pressure.
Although the government claims it has left no stone unturned in ensuring a glitch-free conduct of the examination, doubts are being raised about its preparedness as many departments, with whose cooperation the examination is conducted annually, were shut down due to the lockdown. The possibility of conducting the examination itself was in doubt till very recently. Now, after the lockdown has been eased and the number of coronavirus infected persons has increased dramatically, the government is again contemplating imposing another lockdown. Public transport is not yet fully operational with the staff hesitating to report for duty.
Students and parents have many battles to contend with. Parents are caught in a bind having to choose between exams and the health of their children. Many parents who consider SSLC examination as a gateway to their children’s future might not hesitate to send the children to take the examination. Many others, however worried they are about the health of their children, are forced to make their children write the examination under peer pressure.
Regardless of the challenges that parents, students, and the administration grapple with, it is the duty of both the parents and teachers to make sure that children are equipped to handle the examination and the challenges of the coronavirus with ease. If students fail in the examination, they get a second chance. However, if they are unduly distressed or completely negligent about the coronavirus, the consequences could be disastrous.
It is a fact that students don’t have adequate information about the coronavirus and might be overly anxious, thanks to continuous sensational TV reportage. Having to face the anxiety over the Corona and the examination pressure at the same time can push students into a state of depression. The need of the hour is not only to create awareness about the coronavirus but also to prevent unnecessary anxiety around it. A student coughing or sneezing, a common occurrence during rainy season, should not trigger unnecessary fear. Maintaining social distance becomes the key now more than ever.
The role of parents in making sure that children do not harbor unnecessary fear cannot be emphasized enough. Parents who live in fear will not be in a position to create awareness in their children. Unnecessary fear can lead to both mental and physical health issues. It is also possible that children experience high levels of anxiety if one of their friends sitting close by coughs. It is the duty of parents to educate them about the virus, its symptoms, and its potency to harm us. It is equally important to convey that, despite taking all precautionary measures, if one comes in contact with an infected person, it might not have any undue repercussions. The infected person would be free of the infection in seven days, but it might affect students whose immunity levels are low. Appropriate and effective messaging about the coronavirus and its impact becomes significant.
But the most important factor is to ensure that any student who shows symptoms of Corona infection is taken care of at home and not allowed to appear for the examination and it is the sole responsibility of parents to do so. Hundreds of students die of suicide due to the pressure of SSLC and PUC examinations annually and this year, they are being tested twice over. The 2020 SSLC examination is not only a milestone for students but parents, teachers, and school managements as well and let us hope all of them emerge successful.
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Kerala HC declines interim stay on screening of ''L2: Empuraan''
Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High Court on Tuesday declined to issue any interim order putting on hold the screening of Malayalam film 'L2: Empuraan' starring superstar Mohanlal.
Justice C S Dias ordered to issue notice to the Centre and the Censor Board seeking their stand on the plea by Thrissur-native V V Vijeesh who has claimed that continuing to show the movie poses a risk of inciting communal violence and disturbing public order.
It listed the matter for hearing after the vacation.
The court also questioned whether the petition was filed in publicity interest by the petitioner.
During the brief hearing of the matter, the court also asked what was the problem when the Censor Board had certified the film for public viewing.
It also expressed doubts about the petitioner's intention behind filing the plea.
It also pointed out that no case was filed anywhere against the movie.
The state government said that no case has been lodged against the film in Kerala.
Meanwhile, Antony Perumbavoor, one of the producers of the film, earlier in the day announced that the movie has undergone cuts to remove scenes of little over two minutes.
He said the decision to carry out the edit was a joint one of all the producers and actors, including Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and it was not out of fear of anyone.
The movie has faced intense criticism from the Sangh Parivar with regard to some portions of the film.
'L2: Empuraan', the second part of the 'Lucifer' movie, a trilogy planned by the Prithviraj-Mohanlal team, has become a topic of hot debate over its critique of right-wing politics and the covert mention of the Gujarat riots.
On March 27, the day of the movie's release, the Sangh Parivar vehemently criticised the film on social media, while the Congress and Left platforms celebrated the film for portraying the right-wing politics as "villainous".
