The Goa Board Higher Secondary School Certificate Examination for the year 2024 is underway, with students across the state gearing up for the challenging assessments ahead. The examination, spanning from February 28 to March 18, is being conducted across 20 designated centres.
As the clock struck 9:30 a.m. on the first day, the examination centres buzzed with bustling energy and nervous excitement. Students arrived at their designated venues well in advance, heeding the advice to be present 45 minutes before the start of each session.
This year, a total of 17,987 candidates, comprising 8,550 boys and 9,437 girls, are set to undertake the examination journey. The breakdown across streams reveals a diverse cohort: 4,309 students in the arts stream, 5,320 in commerce, 5,883 in science, and 2,475 in vocational streams.
Reflecting on the preparations and expectations for the upcoming examinations, Yeshwant Gaunkar, a teacher from Don Bosco High School Panaji, shared insights into the meticulous arrangements made by the school.
"We have not only prioritized the needs of our general students but also extended our support to those with special requirements," Gaunkar emphasized. "For the benefit of the needy students and those under the general category, we have meticulously organized facilities to facilitate a peaceful examination experience."
Notably, the school has taken proactive measures to ensure inclusivity, particularly for the 24 Children With Special Needs (CWSN) students scheduled to appear for the examinations. Gaunkar highlighted the school's commitment, stating, "Recognizing the unique challenges faced by our CWSN students, we have designated a special block to cater to their specific needs. This includes ensuring they have a comfortable space for examination."
The school has also assigned dedicated readers to accompany CWSN students during the exams. "We understand the diversity of special needs, ranging from deafness to visual impairment and mental disabilities. Our goal is to create an environment where these students can approach the exam with enthusiasm and without fear," Gaunkar elaborated.
