PSEB Class XII exams begin amid Education Minister’s inspection

Divya Sharma

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 1

The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) examination for Class XII began on Friday amid surprise inspections conducted by School Education Minister OP Soni and Education Secretary Krishan Kumar.

As many as 31,989 regular students and 869 open students appeared for Punjabi exam in the district.

Soni, accompanied by Krishan Kumar, inspected examination centres near the Pakistan border. District Education Officer (Secondary) Salvinder Singh Samra and District Education Officer (Elementary) Jugraj Singh were also present.

The team visited government senior secondary schools in Lopoke, Sarngraha, Bachiwind and Modhey. They also inspected examination centres at Khemkaran. The officials along with the minister also checked the mid-day meal facility and infrastructural development of the schools. As many as 259 have been established in the district. No case of unfair means was reported from any of the centres.

Meanwhile, during a visit to Government Senior Secondary School, Sarngraha, the minister checked the midday meal and asked the secretary to post adequate teachers to strengthen the studies. Soni said, “The department has been working hard to curb the copying menace. Cheating will not be allowed.”

Minister fumes at Bachiwind school head

At Government Senior Secondary School, Bachiwind, the principal was unable to answer questions regarding the infrastructure, the status of students and other details asked by School Education Minister OP Soni and Education Secretary Krishan Kumar. The principal, who is already on a second extension term, was ordered to be relieved as Soni issued instructions for the cancellation of his extension.

Students find paper easy

Most of the Class XII students came out of their examination centres in a cheerful mood as they found the Punjabi exam quite easy. They said the exam was not at all difficult in accordance with their preparation. “My paper went well. It was easier than my expectation. I hope for the best in the upcoming exams,” said Mithali Singh Rathore, a student of Shri Ram Ashram Senior Secondary School. Another student, Bhavna Mahajan, added, “The examination was easy but a bit lengthy.”