Team Herald
Panjim/margao: Over 3,800 students appeared for the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examination held for Marathi paper on Wednesday.
The examinations of HSSC, which had begun from February 28, were cancelled mid-way in the State owing to COVID-19 pandemic followed by nationwide lockdown.
On Wednesday, several students came in their private vehicle along with parents, while some opted for Bal Rath and KTC buses, organized by their schools.
Students, adhering to the lockdown guidelines, were seen wearing masks and maintaining proper social distancing in the waiting areas, while entering the examination centres also in their respective exam halls.
The staff at the centres, checked the temperatures of all students and guided them to the hand sanitizer dispenser upon entry. They also put in extra efforts to make the students aware of the guidelines and its importance. Each school roped in volunteers to assist the candidates to reach their respective blocks; as no parents are permitted in the vicinity of 200 meters of the examination centres. Proper distancing was also maintained in the classroom. Only 10 to 12 students were permitted in each classroom.
Students who appeared for the exams expressed relief that they can finally be free from exam stress,
“The paper was good. There was a kind of fear in the mind but looking at the arrangements made by the school, I was very relaxed. We were sanitised before entering; the supervisor was also very helpful,” Nidhi Nayak, student, said.
Another student, Bhavesh Kadam was also happy with the arrangements but said that due to excess study, he was unable to cope-up with the paper. “The exams were delayed by almost two months. And during that time, we continued studing as we had no idea when the dates would be announced. It was very stressful. But I am happy that finally the exams are taking place,” he reacted.
Some students however stated that exams were not above the safety of the students. Other students also spoke about their experiences of wearing masks, saying their faces started to sweat initially but that later they adjusted to the feeling of having the mask on while answering their papers.
The Class XII student will answer political science paper on Thursday, and Geography on Friday
Goa Board of Secondary and High Secondary Education (GBSHSE) Chairman Ramakrishna Samant said that total 3,823 students were eligible for appearing for the examination of HSSC today.
“All the norms of social distancing were abided during the conduct of examination,” he maintained adding that no report of any incidents has come to their knowledge.
He said that the examination was hassle free and almost all the students appeared for the paper.
