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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Modi should leverage his ties with world leaders to de-escalate war in West Asia: Omar Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.
He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.
"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.
"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.
Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."
He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."
Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.
Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.
"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.
On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.
He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.
Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.
