A deadly epidemic haunts the lives of thousands of Nepali children annually. This epidemic not only tortures a child physically but also mentally and emotionally. Sleepless nights and mental tension are the effects of this disease.

The signs and symptoms are not a result of viral or bacterial infection but that of ‘exam fever’.

Exam fever is popular among all school-going children. It can be said with 100 per cent guarantee that any normal student can become mentally challenged when s/he needs to revise bulky books in one night. Elders and bookworms will definitely say that with regular studies such a situation will never arise. But the problem is that students hardly have any time as they are the busiest creatures in the world.

Thanks to our elders and teachers who make sure that each student is well loaded with daily homework, projects, tests and all sorts of extra curricular activities.

Along with the academic tension, students have to focus on festivals, celebrations, entertainment, games, exercise, good food and sound sleep for their overall development. With such a lot of responsibilities, no doubt preparations for exams remain scheduled for the eleventh hour always.

And the same happens when the time to appear for the king of all exams comes. Each year we are put through a series of tests, the results of which are supposed to decide our entire career.

Yes, I am talking about the School Leaving Certificate Examination, which has been tagged as the ‘Iron Gate’. The manner in which a SLC candidate is hassled by his family, relatives and school is more than enough to sicken a student.

It is believed that the Iron Gate exam results reveal a student’s entire achievement of school life. But school life is not just limited to academics. It is more about moulding a student into becoming a better human being. Ten years of training in a school cannot be judged on the basis of answering to questions within three hours.

It is true that academic excellence is important but moral education also cannot be overlooked for a student’s fruitful progress. After a few months, the exams will be over but the Iron Gate fever will persist till the day of the results. One lucky person will top the board.

And last ‘minuters like me’ will get admitted to a college and begin a new cycle called the ‘College Exam Fever’.