Opening schools and conducting exams had become a major flash point between the government and separatists, who have been accusing the government of trying to portray normalcy by conducting the exams at a time when hundreds of students have been blinded and thousands arrested.
Jammu and Kashmir government won the first round of the education battle after the higher secondary school exams kickstarted with a high student turnout, despite the opposition from separatists on Monday.
More than 95 per cent students appeared in the Class XII examination albeit with 50 per cent relaxation in the syllabus, owing to the four months of unrest in the Kashmir valley. Massive security arrangements were made to ensure incident-free examination given the threats and opposition by certain separatists groups. Jammu and Kashmir government shifted five exam centers from Tral, the hometown of Hizbul Mujhadeen poster boy Burhan Wani, on security reasons.
Opening schools and conducting exams had become a major flash point between the government and separatists, who have been accusing the government of trying to portray normalcy by conducting the exams at a time when hundreds of students have been blinded and thousands arrested. For the first time, the examination centers in Kashmir were categorized into sensitive and hyper sensitive, based on the security assessment. A massive security blanket was thrown around 484 centers to ensure safety and security of the students and invigilating staff.
“Examinations were conducted peacefully. There was an incident of stone pelting in Tahab in Pulwama district. Everything else was peaceful. 19 students appeared for exams in the Tahab area and they wrote their papers without any hassle”, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, Director- school education Kashmir, told DNA.
Official figures reveal that around 31,964 candidates were issued roll number slips and admit cards of which 30,213 appeared for exams on Monday. “Around 1,751 students were absent. Overall 94.17 per cent students wrote their papers, Bhat said.
More than 12 lakh students missed school as they were shut in the Valley. Worried parents were seen accompanying their children to the exam centers given the shutdown call by separatists. Some of the parents camped outside the centers till the exams were over. “Whatsoever the situation may be, it shouldn’t impact education. We have to educate our boys and girls come what may”, said a parent outside an exam hall.
Students though nervous said it was a golden opportunity for them to save the precious academic year. “It’s a very important chance and will help us in preparing for national exams. Fifty per cent relaxation is a good opportunity,” said Mohommad Bari, a student appearing for the exam.
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