In anticipation of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Examination 2024 which will commence on Friday, the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM) has unveiled comprehensive details outlining the logistical arrangements and unique measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination.
Addressing the media at the BOSEM Conference Hall in Imphal on Thursday chairman Akham Joykumar disclosed that a total of 37,715 students are slated to participate in the examination across 154 centres statewide.
Breaking down the enrolment statistics, Joykumar revealed that out of the total candidates, 19,087 are male while 18,628 are female.
Moreover, the distribution of students from various educational backgrounds showcased 9,119 attendees from government schools, 1,315 from aided institutions, and 27,281 from private schools.
Despite a slight decrease in the number of candidates compared to the previous year, Joykumar attributed this trend to the exceptionally high pass percentage recorded in 2023.
In a commendable gesture, BOSEM waived examination fees for approximately 1,000 students residing in relief camps due to displacement, ensuring their uninterrupted participation in the assessment process, he said.
Emphasising the unique nature of this year’s examination, the chairman highlighted the implementation of heightened security protocols necessitated by prevailing law and order concerns.
For the first time, examination materials and confidential documents are being dispatched under the supervision of Nodal Officers appointed by the state government, particularly for centres located in hill districts, he said, adding 11 Nodal Officers have been assigned to oversee operations across 63 centres in these hills areas.
He said, to maintain integrity and transparency, rigorous inspection mechanisms have been established, with 25 inspection teams deployed to assess 91 centres in the valley and 3-4 teams assigned to inspect the 63 centres in the hills.
Additionally, six observer teams led by Board Examination Committee members, along with separate inspection teams comprising BOSEM officials, will monitor proceedings closely, he added.
In a bid to safeguard confidential materials, Joykumar outlined meticulous security measures, including the storage of sensitive documents in designated police stations equipped with dual-lock systems and the use of time-stamp camera applications for recording all relevant events with precise GPS and timestamp data.
In a departure from tradition, BOSEM has adopted a contemporary approach by introducing CBSE-designed answer sheet formats.
In this regard, the chairman urged the invigilators to facilitate the student candidates in filling up their details in the answer sheet.
He also appealed to the community at large to refrain from obstructing the examination process and urged against any disruptive activities such as strikes or blockades during the examination period, stressing the collective responsibility to ensure a fair and impartial assessment environment.
On behalf of the BOSEM, the chairman wished all the student candidates good luck.
