In a significant development for the education sector in Maharashtra, the Class 10 or Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams kickstarted today, March 1, with a staggering 16,09,445 students set to appear for the examinations. Officials reported a substantial increase of 32,189 students compared to the previous year, attributing the surge to various factors, including admissions under the Right to Education Act (RTE).
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has designated 5,086 examination centers across the state to accommodate the vast number of students. To ensure a smooth process, students are required to be present at the examination centers half an hour before the commencement of the exams.
Sharad Gosavi, the President of MSBSHSE, highlighted that the examination duration has been extended by ten minutes this year. The move aims to provide students with ample time to express their knowledge in the given time frame. During a press conference in the city, Gosavi, along with other officials, elaborated on the increased student count.
Gosavi explained, “For students admitted to private schools under the Right to Education Act (RTE) by the state government, fees are paid up to Class 8. These students have taken admissions in state board schools in Class 9, and so the number has gone up this year.”
Breaking down the registration numbers, 8,59,478 male students and 7,49,911 female students are participating in the exams, while 56 students identify as transgender. Additionally, 6,177 students have chosen private mode, and 8,156 are re-examiners.
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a fair examination environment, the board has deployed 400 teams of state board and district administration officials to oversee the examination centers. Strict measures, including identity cards for team members, have been implemented to curb cheating cases.
Students can also access department-wise helpline numbers (020-25705271, 020-25705272) established by the state board for any assistance during the examination period. Notably, the practical and oral exam marks will be recorded online, following the process introduced in the Class 12 exams, ensuring quick availability of results.
As the examination period spans until March 26, a code of conduct might be implemented in the future, although this is not expected to impact the results. On the contrary, efforts are underway to expedite result announcements, providing students with timely opportunities for higher education.
