Odisha Students Demand Plus II Exams’ Cancellation; Minister Says This In Reply

Bhubaneswar: Several students of junior colleges on Thursday urged Odisha government to cancel annual Plus II examinations in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staging a demonstration at Lower PMG Square in the city, they maintained that when the government justifies the cancellation of annual matriculation examinations, it should adopt the same principle for Plus II students for their safety.

“We are deprived of physical classes for more than six months since August last year. Although the government has conducted online classes, most of the students living in rural areas have not availed the benefit due to poor network. Now, that the COVID situation in Odisha has again assumed alarming proportions, it will be hazardous if the government conducts offline examinations,” the students pointed out.

Reacting to the demands of students, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said as per the directive of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the decision to conduct the examination will be taken in June after reviewing the COVID situation in the state.

Not ruling out the possibility of conducting offline examination, the Minister advised the students to concentrate on their studies.

On the cancellation of annual Matric examinations, Dash said the state government had no intention to cancel the examination. But, it was forced to take the decision due to the pandemic.