Teachers urge Punjab School Education Board to defer February 16 exam

Mohit Khanna

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Patiala, February 13

Students appearing for the Class X board exams, which commenced today, found themselves in a difficult situation as internet and mobile services remained suspended near Shambhu and surrounding villages around Patiala due to farmer’s protest.

Meanwhile, the teachers association has called upon the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) and Education Department authorities to reschedule the exams scheduled for February 16 in light of the nationwide bandh call announced by Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and various trade and labour organisations. On February 16, exams for the Class X (science stream) and Class XII (religion subject) are slated to take place.

Representatives of 17 prominent teachers’ unions today submitted a memorandum to the heads of their respective district education departments, informing them that regular teachers will participate in the ‘Bharat Bandh’ while all computer teachers will collectively take leave, including participating in the strike. Sit-in protests will be organised across the state.

Vikram Dev, state president of the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) Punjab, said, “We have received complaints that students in villages around Shambhu and other bordering areas are facing difficulties due to the suspension of internet services. Given the ongoing tense situation and the anticipated road blockages due to the Bharat band, we have requested the education department to postpone the exams scheduled for February 16 to a later date.”

The teachers’ union also demanded the restoration of internet services in the bordering areas of Haryana. “Post pandemic, internet access has become essential in the education sector. With mobile services suspended, students are encountering difficulties in accessing syllabi and reaching out to their teachers to clarify doubts regarding exam questions,” added one of the teachers.