After the Pulwama attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir and created a massive stir, has now proved to be ineffective on the exams of the students. There were almost 65,000 students who attended the exams amidst the shutdown and tight security arrangements in and around the examination centres. There were also some clashes between stone-pelting protestors and security forces at several places.
Out of total 88,932 students around 65,000 students appeared for the examination at 615 different examination centres in Kashmir while there were around 23,932 students who appeared in Jammu at 296 different exam centres. According to the officials the exam was conducted in a peaceful manner. When the terrorists in Pulwama District fired six to seven rounds at Rashtriya Rifle personnel patrolling a road that leads to the examination centre at Dragbam village.
The CRPF inspector put an end to all the rumours that stated the school as being the target of the attack. He stated, “It wasn’t an attack on the exam centre. The firing happened half a kilometre away from the examination centre, and the terrorists fled the scene the moment there was backfiring from the patrol personnel.”
Flying squads were also seen around the examination centre to ensure hassle-free exams. Students had arrived at the examination centre quite early in the morning in either personal vehicles or by walking, as there was a complete vehicle shut down in the area.
In Srinagar, it was also seen that many of the parents whose children were appearing for the exams, sat on the footpaths waiting for their child to come out after the three-hour long examination. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education it was found out that the attendance was “100 per cent” across the examination centres which proved wrong the expectations of lesser number of students coming for the exams. Although the schools in the valley had opened more than a month ago, most students have been refusing to go to school.
According to a board official, “It was really encouraging to see such a large number of examinees who attended the exams, given the situation in the valley. It was also encouraging to see such a great response on the first day itself. There have also been other flying squads and deputed officials who are appointed for smoothly conducting the exams. They are also making sure that there is a conducive environment for the students to write their examinations.”
According to Veena Pandita, Chairman State Board of School Education, Class 12th Examinations will start from tomorrow while the examinations for class 11th will commence from 18th of this month. All the arrangements have been made, and it is hoped that the students will do their best in the exams.