PHIDIM: In all likelihood, 20 students of a school in Taplejung district will not get a chance to appear in this year’s School Leaving Certificate Examinations.

According to sources, students from Hangpang-based Saraswati Higher Secondary School may not get the chance to sit for the exams because they do not have 75 per cent attendance required for the same. Irate students today padlocked the school for sometime demanding that they should get a chance to give the exams. “But the students lifted the lock after talks with teachers,” according to head teacher Harka Sher Angbuhang of the school. “This situation has arisen due to the negligence on the part of guardians and students,” Angbuhang further said.

Angbuhang said it was not the school, but the education regulation that has barred students from appearing in the exams. Student Balkrishna Sambahang said negligence on the part of the school has affected his future. Another student Tikaram Chongbang lamented that he feels cheated. District Education Officer, Damador Acharya, blamed guardians and students for the situation. He said 3,647 students will appear in the SLC exams in the district that will have 17 examination centres.

source: the himalayan times,21 feb 2014