VASCO
Several students on Monday protested outside the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) administrative building to demand the postponement of board exams amid rising Covid cases in the State.
Students clarified that they did not want the State government to cancel the exams, but only wanted the exams deferred on account of fear among students and parents in view of a surge in Covid cases and mortality rates in the State.
Social activists, Tara Kerkar and Xencor Polgi, were also present during the protest to extend their support to the agitating students.
Vaibhavi Valvatkar, a student of MES Higher Secondary School insisted that cancellation of exams was not their motto.
"This not an appropriate time to answer exams. While some students have elderly family members, some stay in joint families and there is also an issue of public transportation as well.”
“While the government is not listening and claims that many students want the exams, we have had to come out in large numbers to prove that majority of students want exams to be postponed. We can always answer exams safely after some days as Covid cases subside," said Valvatkar.
Another student, Mohammed Kaif, said the government must not be under the impression that the students are scared and not prepared for their exams.
"We have met the management but they say the final call will be taken by the government. When boards across different states have postponed the exams, why can't Goa do it? This protest is our last option as we tried all other ways, including signing of online petitions as well. We want the government to understand our plight and not suppress our voices," said Kaif.
Social activist Tara Kerkar speaking to said the State government must postpone exams on account of so many Covid cases in the State.
"There is a fear to answer exams and the government can always postpone the exams for the safety of students. Who will be responsible if something goes wrong? The government must listen to the voices of students. When the government is itself telling people to take utmost care, why is it forcing innocent students to answer exams," asked Kerkar.
Another social activist, Xencor Polgi, said the entire State is agitating for some reason or the other.
“Ministers must practice what they preach and if they say that mass gatherings are not allowed, why are they getting students to answer exams when the second Covid wave is at its peak,” asked Polgi.
