Study for 14 hours daily, sleep for six: Govt asks Class X students
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has advised students appearing in the High School Certificate (HSC) exam to study for 14 hours a day, avoid junk food and exercise regularly for a fitter mind and body. The advisory comes ahead of the board exams starting May 15.
“We have also advised students to relax and take regular breaks from studies,” school and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Dash said.
Students have been asked to make a proper timetable and follow it while also find ways to prepare for different subjects like maths, science, English and social science. It asks parents to build an atmosphere conducive to studies and not put extra pressure on students to do well in the exam.
With exam guide Parikshya Darpan, things have become a bit easier for students as it contains probable questions and answers. But since students will answer objective questions, it could lead to trouble in higher classes.
“So, we have advised students to study each subject thoroughly and teachers have also been asked to clear all their doubts,” Dash added.
Owing to Covid-19, schools in the state stayed closed for over 10 months. Though online classes were held, a large number of students were deprived of them due to slow internet connectivity or unavailability of smartphones. To reduce exam stress, the state government reduced the curriculum by 30% and also revised the exam pattern, with students now appearing for 80 marks. The government is also conducting 100 days of classroom studies.
Teachers have welcomed the advisory and said all students may not follow it but if one is sincere, then she/he will get good results. “Teachers are trying their best so that students do well in the exam. Starting from non-academic work at the height of Covid to 100 days of non-stop classroom teaching, teachers have been giving their 100%,” said Prakash Chandra Mohanty, president of Odisha Senior Secondary Teachers’ Association (OSSTA).
Educationists said there is no need for such advisory as it may create additional burden on students. “Studying for 14 hours a day is absolutely not feasible. I feel six hours of daily study with regular breaks will be enough for students. Since the state government has wasted 10 months without streamlining online education, it is now showing such concern,” said educationist Kamala Prasad Mohapatra.