SHILLONG: It was COVID-19 protocols that made the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) examination something to remember for the 12th standard students. With strict adherence to the official dos and don’ts, it turned out to be quite a nerve-wrecking experience for some students who sat for the Mathematics paper on Wednesday, marking the end of this year’s MBoSE examination calendar.
As the remaining four exams ended, students were seen coming out of the examination centres jubilant that the agony and anxiety was finally over. There was a mixed reaction to the health protocols enforced for the first time ever.
A student from All Saints HS School, Triniwell Marak, said that though the examination went off well, having to wear the mask constantly made it uncomfortable.
While a student from Laban Bengali Boys HS School, Saurav Das, said the examination was a new and taxing experience.
Unlike previous examinations, the students had to reach the centre an hour before the scheduled time. Again, a new thing was to follow the health precautions such as washing of hands, use of hand sanitiser and maintenance of social distancing. All things considered, “it was a good experience”, he said.
While Saurav said “it was somewhat uncomfortable in breathing while writing”, Noorain Raza from the same school said that the examination went well off and he had no issues with masks.
The principal of Umshyrpi College, Nasreen Nongrum, said altogether 30 students appeared and 23 were physically present as 7 of them appeared for the examinations from their home centres as per the permission given by MBoSE.
“Thermal screening, hand washing and other safety measures were strictly observed. We also maintained a distance of one metre”, Nongrum said.
Principal of Laban Bengali Boys HS School, R Bhattacharjee, said a total of 42 students were present. She informed that one of the students preferred not to come as it is fourth subject while another student shifted his centre to Mawkyrwat as a home centre.
“There were no complaints from any students about the health protocols. They happily wrote their examination”, she added.
It may be mentioned that altogether 3,591 candidates across the state appeared for the last HSSLC exam on Wednesday.
A total of 2,847 candidates appeared from Khasi and Jaintia Hills appeared for the Mathematics examination. In Garo Hills, the total number of candidates who appeared is 744.
While, 324 students appeared from their own district headquarter.
