By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With the coming in of the winter season, final examination at this time is turning out to be quite difficult for the students, as the cold weather is getting worse by the year.
Many parents and students feel that it would be ideal for the school authorities to complete the examinations by November.
The hurdle now is that, there is a Government directive which stipulates that Schools can finish the examinations by December 15. However, there are some private schools which complete the whole process of examinations by November.
Fultinai Rynjah, a guardian of a standard VI student whose final examination will be over by December 10 said, “I would urge the State government to notify the schools to complete their final examination by the end of November, so that students don’t have to bear with the harsh cold of December. It is illogical to keep the schools open for so long when nothing substantial is taught to the students,” she said.
Durga Devi Pandey, another guardian said that the classroom coaching in schools is lost in teachers’ agitation and students suffer at the end of the year. “There is a rush in every school in the state, right from the start of the festive seasons, from September to October to finish the courses. However, it would be ideal for the schools to finish the classes and examinations early. The schools can provide winter vacation from December 1 and re-open by mid February,” she said.
Kalyan Deb, a private tutor observed that if the non-governmental schools can finish their courses before November and complete their examination in time, the government run schools can also do the same.
“It makes no sense to tax the students by asking them to visit school till mid December. It is not only putting pressure on them but also on their parents at the same time,” said the Deb.
Even school students have expressed their difficulties over attending school as long as mid December. They say that since most of the course is done by October – November, it would be wise if the final examination is completed by the end of November. “In Meghalaya schools get the maximum number of holidays than anywhere else in the country. So the winter vacation can be adjusted in such a manner so that schools can be reopened at an early date after the vacation,” said Akansha Gupta, a class 8 student.
Crecil Sangma, another student observed that besides the winter vacation, there are other numerous holidays which reduce the number of classroom coaching in a year.
Parents have also urged the education department to analyze and see if schools can be kept open on Saturdays or at least two Saturdays in a month so that schools can close down by December 1 in order to make up for the number of classes lost due to holidays.
