While are busy making arrangements for the annual examination, thousands of secondary school teachers have been staging protest at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar for the last 11 days. No concrete step was stated to have been taken to resolve the issue, sources said.

Under the circumstances, apprehensions have been expressed by many over the conduct of the important exam.

It may be noted here that secondary school teachers have been staging protest against Odisha government’s alleged failure in meeting their 21-point charter of demands.

The teachers are agitating at Lower PMG in the city since February 7in response to the call of the Odisha Secondary School Teachers’ Association (OSSTA).

The teachers’ demands included grants to eligible schools, salary system for 226 and 399 school teachers, removal of anomalies in the grade pay of Rs 2800, extension of retirement age of teachers to 62 years and pension for retired teachers of unaided schools.

Meanwhile, the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) it set to make use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor the conduct of the annual high school examinations this year.
As per reports, AI-powered cameras will be installed at strong rooms, DEO offices, and examination halls. In case any discrepancies are noticed, the operators at the command will be intimated about it.

As per the schedule, the examination will begin with the first language Odia paper on February 20 while the exam for the second language English will be held on February 23. The students will appear for Mathematics paper on February 26, Hindi/Sanskrit on February 28, Science on March 2, and social science on March 4.

The vocational practical examinations will be conducted in respective schools by OSEPA between January 15 and 31.

The HSC examinations will be held in 2,991 centres in Odisha while 5,51,611 students have registered to appear for the exams. As many as 7831 students will sit for the SOSC examination in 55 centres while 3037 students will appear for the Madhyma examinations at 107 centres.

According to officials, keeping in view the possible heat wave, there will be no second sitting in the examinations. The evaluation of question papers will start from March 15 and is likely to be completed in the subsequent 12 days.

A total of 5,51,611 students will appear in the annual examination, which will be conducted at 2991 centres across the state and conclude on March 4.

Examination Schedule

February 20: Odia.

February 23: English.

February 26: Mathematics.

February 28: Hindi/ Sanskrit.

March 2: Science.

March 4: Social Science.

The evaluation of answer sheets will begin from March 15 and continue for al least 12 days, it added.