Dr Asangba Tzüdir
The Nagaland board exam results are out and the ritualistic felicitations have started pouring in; so also the call for Admissions to Higher Secondary Schools and Colleges in the state.
While many students are kept in the dark regarding the fate of their pending end semester exams, the recently passed out students are confronted by a lot of uncertainties and dilemmas on various aspects starting from the choice of career options, getting a seat, and also the process of admission, even as dark clouds over the start of the new academic session looms large with consultations yet to happen for reopening of schools and colleges by the higher-ups. It is indeed unfortunate that students are left confused and waiting, with no clear answers.
Further, at times as such, the current pandemic and the lockdown must have really dampened the spirits of those students who were looking forward to pursue their career outside of Nagaland. What then is the alternative? However, this also adds up to the challenge of getting a seat for many.
The process of the new admission, I believe, will be a toss between merit and first come first serve basis. The question of conducting entrance test is out of the equation at this present situation. However, whichever process it will be, there will be a mad rush among students seeking a seat which is compounded by the yearly increase in the number of applicants so also those who may not be able to pursue their higher education outside the state because of the current situation. It drastically reduces the chances of getting a seat for those getting lower grades. The sense of competition will be deeply felt even before real competition beckons them especially in Government colleges that adopts merit basis of admission. It has also created a situation where many students may not even get a seat, while many may not get a seat in the choice of their subject, or may have to opt for their second choice subject, and the worst being having to take up a subject not to their liking just to avail a seat and to save an academic year.
Whatever the case may be, it will be a mad rush where many students will end up sacrificing a lot, not to mention the uncertainty about the start of the next academic session, because decisions won’t come easy especially when life is at stake, and the online alternative is no alternative at all to physical classroom teaching-learning experience.
Looking at the brighter side of life, all is not lost. Despite the challenges, uncertainties and dilemmas, life goes on and it is up to the individual to make it count by making it progressive.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
