SSC exam schedule too taxing, say students

MUMBAI, Feb 13: The time-table for the March 99 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations, released on Friday by the SSC Board, has...

MUMBAI, Feb 13: The time-table for the March 99 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations, released on Friday by the SSC Board, has drawn criticism from students and parents. The board’s decision to hold two examinations a day will tax students, they complain.

As per the time-table, examinations will be held from March 11 to 22. On March 17, students have to appear for the 75-marks Geography-Economics paper in the morning and the 100-marks Marathi paper in the afternoon. While the first session is from 11 am to 1 pm, the second session is from 3 pm to 6 pm.This, say students, will be a “big problem”.

“How can they expect us to sit in the centre for so long, and then write a language paper at the end of the day?” asks a student. Besides, he points out, language papers are lengthy, and therefore, tiring.

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Two examinations have never been held the same day in this manner before, claim parents and teachers. According to the time-table, Hindi (composite paper) and Science-I will be held on March 12,and History-Civics and Sanskrit on March 16. This, says a teacher, will affect only those who are appearing for optional subjects like Sanskrit, or those who have opted for 50-marks Hindi and 50-marks Sanskrit.

However, they too will face problems, appearing for one paper after another day after day, says a student. “There will be an adverse psychological effect on students if there are so many exams together,” says a parent.

S Abidi, chairman of the SSC and HSC Board’s Mumbai division said, “If students or parents have any complaints, they can approach the board.” Besides, optional subjects are kept along with the usual ones every year, he added.