SHANGLA: Students sitting in the higher secondary school certificate examinations on Saturday complained about lack of chairs at the examination centres, forcing them to sit on the floor to attempt the papers.

The examinations are being conducted by Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Swat, in various colleges and higher secondary schools in Shangla district.

Talking to reporters, the candidates deplored that while the nursery students had chairs to sit on they were forced to solve question papers sitting on the floor.

“We got tired and faced difficulties while solving papers sitting on the floor, which is quite insulting,” Adil Khan, who is appearing for FSc papers in government college, Chakesar, regretted.

He said the students were made to pay huge amounts to the education board, but provision of facilities at the examination halls was next to nil.

Rafiq Khan, another candidate, said neither drinking water nor chairs were available in the examination hall at his examination centre.

“I came from Daoot area, a distant and hilly hamlet, and got already tired reaching the examination centre, but was compelled to sit on floor to solve the question paper,” Sultan Shah, another student, lambasted.

Niaz Ahmed Khan, a social activist, said the Chakesar college lacked furniture even for regular students.

The candidates, students and local people demanded of the education department to ensure furniture at the colleges.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2019