Bangalore, 21 March 2010: For SSLC examinees who always find themselves short on time during those nervous moments when the invigilator wants the answer scripts on his table, here is some good news.
The State government has decided that beginning this April, all SSLC examinees will get 15 minutes extra time to pore through the question papers before writing out the answers.
The extra time award is in line with the II PU examinations in which students are handed over question papers 15 minutes prior to writing the answers.
Unveiling the new SSLC examination policy, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri said on Saturday that it would go a long way in bringing relief to thousands of SSLC examinees when they appear for the exams later next month.
Surprise visit
The minister paid a surprise visit to the examination centres at government pre-university girls and boys colleges in Malleswaram where political science and basic mathematics examinations were under way.
After the inspection, he said: “Due to the change in the SSLC question paper pattern, students will now have to attempt essay type questions for 75 marks. Hence, to instill confidence in the students, 15 minutes of extra time will be given to read the question paper. Examinations will begin as scheduled and 15 minutes will be extended at the end”.
The decision for extra time was arrived at after a comprehensive meeting of the primary and secondary education officials.
The minister also pointed out that after three years of efforts the government has agreed to set up the Pre University Education Examination Board exclusively for conducting examinations and announcement of results. “Like the Karnataka Secondary Education and Examination Board (KSEEB), the PUEEB will be constituted soon,” Kageri said, adding that the modalities of the same are being worked out.
As many as 82 students were debarred for malpractice including one case of impersonation, across the State on Saturday. According to the Department of Pre University Education, 19 from Belgaum, 15 from Bijapur, nine from Bagalkot, eight from Raichur, seven from Bidar, six from Hassan where one case of impersonation too was reported, five from Gulbarga, three from Kolar, two each from Davangere, Chitradurga and Chikkaballapur, and one each from Bangalore South, Bellary, Koppal and Yadgir, have been debarred.