Meghalaya Board Postpones Two Class 12 Exams in Violence-Hit West Garo Hills

Meghalaya Board of School Education has announced the postponement of two Class 12 post-secondary school leaving certificate (HSSLC) examinations, which were to be held in the violence-affected West Garo Hills district.

This is due to safety concerns amid clashes that have been going on in connection with the nomination process of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election.

The board has stated that Music examination on March 11 and Anthropology paper on March 12 have been postponed only for those students who are coming from West Garo Hills district. In all other districts of Meghalaya, the examinations are going to be held according to the schedule.

The authorities explained that the decision of postponing was made after the imposed curfew in many areas as a result of the rising tensions between the tribal and non-tribal groups when the candidates were filing their nominations for the GHADC polls. The officials added that their main concern was ensuring the safety of students, invigilators and examination staff.

1. R. Laloo, Director (Accreditation) and Controller of Examinations of MBOSE, stated that only examination centres situated in West Garo Hills are affected by the postponement.

"We always put student safety first. The examinations scheduled on 11th and 12th March have been cancelled in the West Garo Hills district only as other areas are still safe. This is due to the fact that the law and order situation is severely disrupted, " Laloo mentioned. The board will publish the new dates for the examinations, which have been postponed, soon after the situation improves, he added.

Currently, there are approximately 29,000 students in the state who are taking the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) exams. Officials went on to explain that those students residing in other districts will be able to take their exams as per the previously announced schedule.

Students from the district which is affected have been instructed to keep visiting the official MBOSE website regularly for the latest information on the rescheduled examination dates.

The education authorities have also said that the postponement will be dealt with carefully so as not to cause much of a disturbance in the overall examination process and result declaration.