Heavy rains, snowfall forces boards to postpone exams in Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi
Lahaul-Spiti, March 4: Due to heavy rain and snowfall, the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board has postponed all board examination in Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi till March 8. This is due to the fact that the roads and paths have got damaged in these districts, rendering them unmovable to the students and also to the examination materials. Otherwise, the rest of the state will still have the exams as previously scheduled.
Unusual Weather Patterns Causing Interruptions
As per Dr. Major Vishal Sharma, Secretary, Himachal Pradesh School Education Board, the state has witnessed heavy rain and snowfall since a week. Ongoing weather has led to major disruptions, especially across the higher reaches like Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi. Consequently, multiple roads have been blocked, which has greatly affected the transportation of examination question papers to the centres.
Snow and rain have made it hard for students in these places to get to their respective examination centers safely, along with logistical challenges. In view of the present condition, the Board has withdrawn all the examinations being held in these districts and this decision is taken in consideration of the safety of the students.
Postponed Exams: Affected Classes and Subjects
The decision to postpone exams affects students in various grades, including classes VIII, IX, 10, 11, and 12. Here’s a breakdown of the subjects for which exams have been rescheduled:
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Class VIII (SOS):
- March 5 – Himachal’s Folk Culture and Yoga
- March 6 – Sanskrit
- March 7 – Drawing, Home Science, Music, Punjabi, and Urdu
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Class IX:
- March 5 – Mathematics
- March 7 – Social Science
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Class 10:
- March 4 – Hindi (Regular and SOS)
- March 5 – Music
- March 6 – Financial Literacy
- March 7 – English
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Class 11:
- March 5 – English
- March 6 – Public Administration
- March 7 – Geography
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Class 12:
- March 4 – Economics
- March 5 – Physics
- March 6 – Public Administration
- March 7 – Financial Literacy
- March 8 – English
While the exams in these districts have been postponed, the education board assured students that the new dates for the postponed exams will be announced soon.
Statement on the examinations in rest of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Board said that this post phone examination will be only for Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi. However, examinations in rest of Himachal Pradesh districts — Kangra, Mandi and Solan – will be conducted as per schedule. The board has further assured students of these regions of not making any changes to their exam dates.
Meanwhile, the board has also requested students and their parents to check the official site for latest updates on rescheduled exams. Students are advised to continue following any potential updates, especially in the event of continuous bad weather.
Weather Effect on the Education Sector in the Region
Heavy rain and snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi districts continue to disrupt normal life, including education, roads and communication. These rugged terrains are relatively prone to weather disruptions. The snow has frequently blocked roads, particularly those leading to remote villages, so that students and teachers have found it difficult to commute.
In these dire conditions, the successful choice to delay exams has been broadly praised by parents, teachers and students alike. As extreme heat waves become increasingly common, many expressed relief, pointing out that students must always come first when it comes to extreme weather. Local officials have also stressed the need to make sure students are not being inappropriately stressed or put into dangerous travel conditions simply to come for an exam.
Looking Ahead
Parts of the region still have a fight on their hands after a brutal bout of weather, and officials are rushing to clear the roads and reopen the areas they’re able to reach. But, due to the fickle nature of mountain weather, more disruption could not be ruled out.
For students in the impacted regions, the postponement provides them an opportunity to properly prepare for their testing, sans the burden of navigating a treacherous forecast. The details and the final decision is still fluid, the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board has time and again reiterated that all students must be given an equitable opportunity to attempt their exams once the situation normalises.
Students check the official website of Himachal Pradesh School Education Board regularly for updates on the postponed exam.
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