Kendrapara: Around 30 girl students of the Derabish Women’s College in Kendrapara district had to write their Plus III annual examinations sitting under a makeshift tent in sweltering heat despite the existence of a spacious examination hall on their college premises Tuesday.
The students have become victims of an ego clash between the principals of the Plus II and Plus III colleges of their institute, sources said.
Principals of the Plus II and Plus III colleges are reportedly not on good terms with each other, sources said, adding that they would look for an opportunity to settle scores with each other.
During the 2012-13 session, the Plus III students had studied in an examination hall meant for Plus II students and had also appeared their examinations in the same room.
Plus II principal Gayatri Das took affront at this, and ever since has refused to allow Plus III students to sit for examinations in the hall which comes under her jurisdiction.
Left with no option, Plus III college principal Snehalata Parida was forced to conduct the examinations under a tent.
The incident has drawn flak from various quarters and has come at a time when there is intense scrutiny on the education sector with calls for upgrading infrastructure at institutes and a total revamp of the existing examination process.
The district administration has reportedly taken serious note of the incident after reports surfaced in this regard.
The incident has also caused major embarrassment for the Derabish college authorities, it is learnt.
When contacted, sub-collector Kanhu Charan Dhir, who is also the ex-officio president of the Plus II college, is said to have written to the Plus II principal to unlock the classroom and allow the Plus III students to sit for their examinations inside the hall.
The Derabish tehsildar was asked to unlock the classroom as the principal is on leave, he added.
Haladhar Dash, president, managing committee of the Plus III college is said to have urged the principal of the Plus II college to allow proper conduct of examinations for the Plus III students.
The college authorities however, conducted the examination under a tent after the Plus II college principal went on leave locking up the classroom. PNN
