NEW DELHI: Amid a three-week-long protest by students demanding the cancellation of flawed examinations, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Saturday assured that his government would bring changes to the examination system and ensure greater transparency, particularly in tests conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).Addressing a gathering at a state-level Independence Day celebration, Soren said the concerns and aspirations of the state’s youth were important to his government and urged them to have faith in the steps being taken to reform the system.“For me, the youth of the state are very important to me and their faith in us. We have decided to bring changes in the system. Transparent examination will be ensured,” Soren said.The chief minister said the government had launched “Chhatron Ki Baat – Chhatron Ke Sath” to seek students’ views on improving the education system. He said students, along with their parents and teachers, could play an important role in shaping a better education system.“We will not indulge in a blame game but ensure justice. We are making changes in the system. We will come out with the academic calendar and take steps for transparency (in) exams. We have started Chhatron Ki Baat – Chhatron Ke Sath, and I want the parents of students and their teachers to give suggestions, and we will examine them with experts and bring them as per rules and constitutional norms,” Soren said.
‘Talent will not be allowed to go to waste due to mafia’
Soren also sought to reassure young aspirants that their careers and ambitions would not be derailed by irregularities or alleged examination-related malpractice. He promised that the government would work to prevent talented candidates from losing out because of a serious challenge posed by the “mafia”.“I want to urge the youth that their dreams will be protected. I want to assure that talent will not be allowed to go to waste due to the mafia. This is a serious challenge before the nation. For me, the youth of the state are very important to me and their faith on us. We have decided to bring changes in the system. Transparent examination will be ensured,” Soren said.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Earlier on Saturday, student leader Ravinder Paswan said the protesting students would keep their demands aside for Independence Day and instead participate in celebrations centred on the country and nationalism.“Today is the 80th Independence Day. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for Independence Day to all the students, youth, general public, and social justice advocates across the country on this occassion. We are organising a grand Tiranga Yatra to mark Independence Day. Students and young people from across Jharkhand are participating in this Tiranga Yatra to display their love for the country and their nationalism,” he said.Students in Jharkhand have been protesting over irregularities in examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC. Among their key demands is the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
