Malda, Sept. 20 -- With the Higher Secondary Semester I and III examinations scheduled to begin on Monday, the Malda district administration has started shifting 738 examinees from flood-hit Bhutni to safer locations to ensure that they can appear for their examinations without risking their lives.
Large parts of Bhutni remain affected by floodwaters, while several areas are facing disrupted communication and prolonged power cuts. With the examination centres also shifted outside the affected area, students and their families are facing additional uncertainty just days before the examinations.
The administration has arranged accommodation for the examinees at safer locations. Boys are being kept at Lalbathani High School, while girls are being accommodated at Manikchak Model School. Arrangements have also been made for their food and lodging. Officials said transportation would be provided to take the students to their respective examination centres on examination days.
Additional District Magistrate (Education) Saptarshi Nag said: "Those who want to appear for the examination from Bhutni will be provided boats at designated times. From Bhutni Bridge, buses will also be arranged to take them to the examination centre. There will be no shortage of vehicles or boats."
The move, however, has triggered dissatisfaction among some examinees and parents. They said students were accustomed to appearing for examinations at centres in Bhutni.
Parent Umacharan Mondal said: "The centre has been shifted from Bhutni to Mathurapur. Every year, examinations are held in Bhutni. We are not satisfied with this arrangement. There has been power disruption across Bhutni for nearly two weeks, while our homes were submerged."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.