DESAM flays conduct of JNV test amidst pandemic
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 13 2021: Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has condemned the conduct of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Entrance test amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, thereby increasing the risk of transmission amongst students and general public.

In a statement released by its general secretary Leishangthem Lamyanba Meitei, DESAM demanded the authority concerned to award befitting punishment to JNV authorities for conducted the entrance test on August 11, while violating the Covid-19 SOPs and Covid Appropriate Behaviour.

Despite multiple requests by the students' body to postpone the test, the state government ignored the requests and agreed to the conduct of the selection test.

As such, the government should be held responsible if any of the students participating in the selection test were to test positive for Covid-19."The conduct of the selection test amidst the pandemic could be regarded as violation of the Right to Education and Equity with Justice.

The government is partly at fault considering the brazenness of JNV authorities to hold the test despite the huge risks.

This has shown the weakness of the government, not to mention of the embarrassment it signifies", it added.

"It is out of the context to believe that the young students could strictly adhere to Covid Appropriate Behaviour when they are not included in the to-be-vaccinated group and also considering part of the state's population had to be coaxed into getting the vaccine, follow SOPs and observe the lockdown/curfew, albeit unsuccessfully.

If the government is truly confident, why is it continuing to impose night curfew? Were all of the measures and efforts merely part of the government's propaganda? DESAM does not take the conduct of the JNV authorities lightly and as such, the principals concerned will be responsible for any resulting consequences", it contended.

Demanding strict against those responsible for organising the JNV selection test, DESAM further equated the conduct of the test as a sign of disrespect towards the people of the state, especially when the test has been postponed in mainland India.

The test was first scheduled on April 10 and deferred to May 16.It was again postponed to August 11 although by the time the Ministry of Education had issued the notice on July 21, around 1327 positive cases had been confirmed along with 15 deaths.

"The state Home Department gave its approval to holding the Entrance Test on August 3 while the number of Covid positive cases and deaths continued to soar in the state.

As such, it is bizarre how the approval was given in such a risky situation.

On top of this, there is restriction on any form of gathering with the limit set to 20 people at the maximum.

Additionally, the Class X and XII examinations had been cancelled.

However, the selection test to Class VI in JNV was held without any issues.

The whole situation has clearly made it seem like as if the state is unable to make any decisions on its own without the centre, it continued.

Questioning if the JNV selection test is more important than the Class X and XII examinations, DESAM demanded-strict punishment of those involved in the conduct of the examination for putting the lives of the students and their parents/guardians at risk, by failing to ensure proper adherence of Covid-19 SOP.

It is regrettable to witness the test being conducted without consulting any of the state organisations.

"There is high possibility of a Covid positive student being present among the candidate students and unintentionally spreading the virus to his/her fellow students and invigilators.

As such, requisite steps must be taken to prevent such careless acts in the future", the Alliance said, while remarking that the people's trust on the government depends on the thoughts/actions of the government.

Comment