As the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exams kick off with a scheduled commencement time of 10:30 am, students have been directed to report to their exam centers by 10 am. However, amid ongoing border blockades aimed at halting farmers’ protests, traffic jams have plagued Noida for the past week, causing concern among parents of exam-going students.
With farmers announcing a “Bharat Grameen Bandh (nationwide rural strike)” scheduled for Friday, the All Noida School Parents Association (ANSPA) has issued an appeal to farmer groups to allow students to reach their exam centers unhindered. Yatendra Kasana, president of ANSPA, further stressed the importance of the Noida police’s role in ensuring that students do not get caught in traffic snarls during the stringent checking activities at Noida-Delhi borders.
In anticipation of the logistical challenges posed by the border blockades, the CBSE advised students to utilize the Metro service to reach their exam centers promptly. Given the 10:30 am exam start time, students have been instructed to arrive at the centers by 10 am to avoid any delays.
Manoj Kataria, founder of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Parents Welfare Society, highlighted the predicament faced by students residing in Noida but attending schools in Delhi. With the heightened security measures at Noida-Delhi borders, parents are understandably hesitant to send their children by road, leading many to opt for the Metro as a safer alternative. However, Kataria pointed out the limitations of this solution, as not all students have access to the Metro service, and not all exam centers may be conveniently located near metro stations.
The challenges extend beyond transportation concerns, affecting students’ ability to attend coaching classes and exacerbating the stress surrounding the exams. Parents are grappling with the added burden of ensuring their children’s safe and timely arrival at the exam centers, mindful of the CBSE’s strict policies regarding punctuality.
In Gautam Buddh Nagar alone, 55 exam centers have been designated for the board examinations, accommodating a total of 49,000 students. The district boasts 210 CBSE-affiliated schools, catering to approximately 28,000 Class 10 students and 21,000 Class 12 students, as confirmed by district education officials.
Aditi Basu Roy, district president of the All India Principals’ Association (Noida chapter), emphasized the non-negotiable nature of the CBSE’s regulations regarding punctuality for board exams. Any delay in reaching the exam centers could potentially jeopardize an entire academic year for the students.
Amid these concerns, representatives of the farmers’ unions have assured that their protests will not impede the students’ journey to their exam centers. Bharatiya Kisan Parishad leader Sukhbir Khali affirmed their commitment to facilitating unobstructed passage for students and pledged to refrain from conducting protests near schools or hospitals.
Overall, the intersection of the ongoing farmers’ protests and the CBSE exams has created a challenging environment for students and their families. As the exams proceed, parents and authorities alike remain vigilant in navigating the logistical hurdles to ensure a smooth and timely conduct of the examinations.
