Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 18:

Grade XI students had a tough time reaching their examination centres today as they had to walk for hours to reach their destination due to the three-day bandh called by the Maoists. Some of the students were relieved when their schools provided transport facilities. But not everyone was so lucky. Hundreds of students of the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST) reached their centres on bicycles. Some even preferred to stay at a nearby lodge paying Rs 200 per head. Sabis Khadgi of NIST was forced to stay at the lodge along with four of his friends. “At least I was saved from mental tension and could concentrate on my studies,” said Khadgi.

Gorakh Bahadur Singh, chief at the Office of Controller of Examination of Higher Secondary Education Board said that the bandh-callers should at least consider the examination schedule before calling bandhs. “We have appealed to all the bandh-callers to let the vehicles carrying students ply and not to harm them in any way,” he said. Several students were seen taking a ride on motorcycles with coverplate: ‘Examinees’.

“No reports of exam cancellation from any of the districts has reached so far,” said Singh.

The OCE has taken precautions after the Moaists burned down the question papers of grade XII examination at Sarlahi a week ago. He also informed that the OCE is having a tough time transporting the question papers to examination halls. “We have kept all the papers at Jagarkot airport after receiving constant threats from the rebels to burn the District Education Office,” he added.

Altogether 1,15,000 students have filled the examination forms and there are 216 centres while the Valley alone has 52 centres. Pragya Shrestha whose examination centre was at Ratna Rajya School in Baneshwor had to walk for one-and-a-half hours from Bhaktapur.

“I am so nervous that I have already forgotten all the answers,” she said. “Is there no law to restrict these bandhs?” she questioned.