‘Set up exam centres in suburbs too’

While we allow children with special needs to opt for centres near their homes, arranging the same for all the students is logistically difficult. It is too late to come up with a solution for them, at least this year. SHARAD KHANDAGALE, chairperson, Mumbai Divisional Board

MUMBAI : Anxious about travelling distances to write the state board exams, a group of Class 12 students residing in the suburbs has requested the state education department to set up exam centres in colleges near their homes.

The concern has been raised by students studying in central and south Mumbai. The students would have to travel for hours together before reaching the centre on time, they complained.

On Wednesday, Narendra Bhambwani, a class owner from Mira Road, wrote to state education minister Vinod Tawde on behalf of these students.

“A student who stays in Mira Road but goes to a college in Dadar will have to travel that far on all six days of the exam. As the papers are scheduled at 11 am, they have to take a train during peak hours, from 8.30am to 9am,” read the letter.

Vinay Patil, a student from Nallasopara, said the board should consider students like him while taking decisions.

“I have to spend two hours travelling during the exams as my college is in Churchgate. If the board allots a centre nearby, it would save time and reduce risks involved in travelling during rush hours,” he said.

Sharad Khandagale, chairperson, Mumbai Divisional Board, said that such a provision will be difficult to make, especially this year.

“While we allow children with special needs to opt for centres near their homes, arranging the same for all the students is logistically difficult. As most students are already used to travelling till their college every day, we allot them a centre within the vicinity of the college,” he said.

“Seat distribution for this year would be done now and it’s too late to come up with a solution for them, at least this year,” he added.