J&K Civil Society Forum expresses concern over shifting of NTA centres from Kashmir
Proposed shifting of centers will create crisis at the time of 2024 exams : Qayoom Wani
Appeals LG to resolve issue by ordering to establish permanent examination centres in Kashmir
Srinagar: Chairman Jammu kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) Abdul Qayoom Wani has expressed concerned over the reported news of shifting of Examination Centre of National Testing Agency (NTA) from Kashmir. The forum in a statement said that it has come to light NTA is planning shifting examination centres from Kashmir, which is a bad sign for the future of Kashmiri students.
“Last year there was a huge crisis when thousands of Kashmiri students were allotted centres outside Jammu and Kashmir for their CUET exams. At that time many poor students decided not to appear in those exams. It created a huge crisis. Every civil society member, political leader and other representative had to appeal to the government for setting up centres here. Finally the NTA relented and they started temporary centres in Kashmir,” said a representative of JKCSF.
“Ideally those temporary centres should have been made permanent centres with proper documentation and agreements. Bringing computers, setting up infrastructure and creating centres is not a small thing that can be done every year,” he said.
The JKCSF said that instead of turning them into permanent centres there are reports that NTA is silently asking its service providers to take away computers and other material from these centres. This means that during the next examination season, NTA will again say that they don’t have any centres in Kashmir. They will again allocate centres in other states to students of Kashmir and we will be staring at a new crisis. Many poor students won’t be able to go to those states in far off locations.
“It seems to be an ill conceived plan from some elements. They want to create another crisis like situation next year too. Nobody knows what will be the situation next year as 2024 is the year of elections. What if NTA at that time refused to set up centres in Kashmir citing elections as reasons. It will mean that thousands of students will lose a precious year,” said a JKCSF representative.
JKCSF has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take note of the situation and prevent shifting of NTA centres from Kashmir. The LG should order officials to set up permanent centres in Kashmir so that students are not traumatised again.
“There should be a permanent solution to this issue. Nobody wants to fight for their rights every year. Our students have every right to appear in exams in centres in Kashmir,” said a representative.