Strike shadow over Plus Two exam

The Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) on Monday asserted that it will take alternative arrangements to ensure that the examination is held as planned, amid apprehensions that Plus II examinations, might be affected because of the ongoing agitation of block grant college teachers.

More than 8,000 lecturers and employees of 488 block grant colleges across the state yesterday resorted to cease work and threatened not to co-operate in conducting Plus Two exams starting March 1.

The district administration may be given the responsibility to conduct the Plus-Two examinations under the Council for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE). The CHSE officials said this kind of situation last arose in 1998. At that time also the district administration’s help was sought to conduct the examination.

Sources said the government is mulling to deploy school teachers in case it fails to end the agitation by block grant college teachers.

Though the agitation is likely to affect the upcoming exams, the government is determined to go ahead with it. “There is no question of postponing the exams. We will stick to the schedule and appeal to the striking teachers to join exam duty in the interest of students,” said secretary of higher education Gagan Kumar Dhal.

Authorities of Council of Higher Secondary Examination, which conducts Plus Two exams in the state, had expressed apprehension in conducting exams in the face of the ongoing strike by lecturers. “Ideally, 5,000 teaching and non-teaching staff are required for invigilation and other exam-related duty. Non-co-operation on the part of lecturers will adversely affect the exams,” said a top council official.

Lecturers under the nine-block Criteria College Lectures and Employees Association today said they would cooperate with the government to ensure that the Plus Two exams were conducted smoothly.