Shillong Jottings

Exams and elections
Examinations are an annual affair for students and are necessary to analyse their knowledge and understanding. Among all exams, the SSLC and the HSSLC are two of the most significant since these are career defining moments.
Students in Meghalaya are preparing for the all-importation Board examinations with HSSLC exams scheduled to begin from March 1, and the SSLC two days later.
These are times when students are under duress because of the high level of expectations from their parents, relatives, neighbours and teachers. They need an environment of peace and clam to ensure their cognition is optimal.
The high drama associated with elections like street-corner meetings, noisy constituency-level meetings, door-to-door campaigns and the once-in-a-while brawls between workers of political parties, although unavoidable, is adding to the stress of students.
While elections are a celebration of democracy and necessary for the country and the state, the mass euphoria associated with it are avoidable.
Recently, students were found at the receiving end when the nomination filing process brought the city down to its knees and now with counting of votes scheduled on March 2, HSSLC candidates who have to write their MIL/ Alt. English paper on that day are a worried lot.
Will they be able to reach their examination venues on time amid a sea of supporters who would descend into the city to celebrate their chosen one’s victory is an issue that is a cause of concern for many candidates.
The SJ team hopes the authorities will be better prepared this time than they were on the nomination filing day.