Annual examinations Long march to affect students’ preparations students of Islamabad
ISLAMABAD (APP): The students of Islamabad and Rawalpindi should have been preparing for their examinations but now they could not keep away from their mind the prevailing situation of the twin cities. With minds of students burdened with confusion over what the politicians are doing, parents fear that their children will not be able to concentrate fully to achieve good grades in the annual examinations this year. The education officials were left with no choice but to close down the institutions from March 14 to 16 as some opposition parties made it clear that they will converge on Islamabad, for a prolonged sit in. The closure of educational institutions has compelled rescheduling of the ongoing exams of different classes which might delay compilation of results. The change in examination schedule due to current political situation is no doubt creating psychological impact on the impressionable minds of students. The disruption of examination schedule will unsettle the students who studied hard all year and were now preparing for the exams. Shaista Pirzada, principal Islamabad College for Girls, F-6/2 said the prevailing political situation is creating problems for the students especially for the girls who travel daily from far flung areas. Not only their exams schedule has been disturbed but results can be delayed that will definitely postpone start of new academic session, she said. It will not possible for students to reach their examination centres due to what is happening on roads. The politics of agitation has left many unanswered questions in the minds of students, many of whom in the coming weeks spending time pondering over situation arise out of the decisions of politicians rather than focusing on studies in a hassle free environment. The students suffer psychologically when there is unrest on the roads and sense of insecurity lingers on. Not an ideal environment for students who should be mentally relaxed for rigorous examination. "When all of a sudden, students come to know that a paper has been cancelled or delayed, they lose their concentration due to disturbance in routine and schedule. Isn't it a psychological trauma for the students," Shaista said. Whatever conflicts the political leaders are having, they must resolve them so that students must not suffer. They must hold peaceful protest and avoid any kind of aggression which can cast a shadow on the future of students. The government is cognizant of the fact that political issues should be resolved through dialogue but opposition parties say that they had enough dialogue and they intend to settle matters with show of force on the streets. "I am concerned about the positions of my children in annual results this year. The sense of insecurity and uncertainty has perturbed the students disturbing their study routine adding psychological pressure", Shagufta, a mother of three school going children said. Mujahid Zameer, director Model Colleges and Schools, Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) said the exams schedule has been disturbed due to long march. The papers of class 3 to 8 of federal schools which were supposed to be held on March 14 and March 16 will now be held on March 24 and March 25, respectively, he informed.
