‘PRECAUTIONARY HOLIDAY’ TO RESCUE OF STUDENTS

Intermittent rain on Sunday made for a waterlogged Monday morning, with Mumbaikars unsure whether they ought to stick their neck out and leave for office, school and college.

Students who had examinations had little choice in the matter but delayed train services prevented many from reaching their exam centres.

However, state education minister Vinod Tawde rushed to their rescue, tweeting a ‘precautionary holiday’ for schools and colleges and offering a one-day extension to FYJC admissions – the first first merit list deadline -- as students were unable to reach colleges to complete the procedure.

Deputy school education secretary Suvarna Kharat said, “Owing to heavy rain, the school education department has extended the first-round deadline for FYJC admissions up to 5 pm on Tuesday. The original deadline was 5 pm on July 9, but several junior colleges reported low staff attendance and rain also made it difficult for students to reach. The extension will not affect the rest of the schedule.”

The University of Mumbai, too, bent backwards and has agreed to re-examination for MSc Semester 2 and Semester 4 -- for students who could not reach the examination centre. Also, the written exam of Semester 3 of MA Sociology was postponed. The revised schedule will soon be out, said Deputy Secretary (Public Relations) of University of Mumbai Vinod Malale.