Exams yet to end,schools start second semester classes

This way,the exams of first semester will conclude by the end of this month; but as per the instructions of PSEB,the schools have begun the second semester classes concurrently.

Principal of a Government Senior Secondary School told Newsline: “Only 20 per cent students are coming as the exams of first semester are still going on. We have communicated to absent students that there are no holidays as second semester has started. Despite that,very few students are turning up. The teachers are in a fix seeing the low attendance.”

Another school headmaster said: “We made the announcement prior to the exams of first semester that there will be no break and the second semester will start from October,yet students are not coming in full strength.”

Private schools affiliated to PSEB are facing the the same problem. The school heads and principals are blaming the Board for the delayed start of the first semester. Shashi Kumar,a school teacher,said: “The students who will fail in the first semester will have to reappear along with the second semester exam. This way they will be overburdened.”

However,Suresh Tandon,Vice Chairman,PSEB,Mohali,said: “The schools made a mistake by not conveying the message to the students about the beginning of the second semester. It is the duty of schools to tell students clearly about the working of the semester system.”

He added: “The result of first semester examination will be declared by November-end; the exams for unsuccessful candidates will be held with the final exam of second semester. So,only those students will be overburdened who didn’t study in their first semester. It is not the Board’s fault.”