The SSLC examination started on Friday. Students whom The Hindu spoke to said the English paper was easy.
At the examination centres, there was a flurry of activity at 2 p.m. as students came out after writing their first paper.
While most of them said that they would take a break before beginning preparation for mathematics exam to be held on Tuesday, some said they were heading for tuition class to resolve “doubts”.
At Cascia School in Jeppu, Soudha, Shafa and Sahana left immediately for tuition at 2.30 p.m. after writing the English exam.
Rajeshwari, a teacher at the Government High School in Hoige Bazaar, who holds mathematics classes for 22 students, said every attempt was being made to help students get every mark possible.
Extra coaching was being given to those who needed it. Emerging from a hall of an examination centre, Sanjana S. of St. Ann's School, said the English paper was “easy” and that she would take a break from studies before beginning preparations for the Mathematics paper on Tuesday.
Swathi, Varalakshmi, Sweedel and Smitha of Gerosa School appeared relaxed and were all smiles after the English exam. Bridget Pereira, headmistress of Cascia High School at Jeppu said that the examination went on smoothly.
“There were no problems and there was no case of cheating,” she added.
Parents of several students were seen waiting near schools to take their children home after the exam. Many mothers said they had started the day earlier than usual to ensure their children reached the exam centres well on time. Some parents visited the exam centres the day before to avoid any last-minute confusion. Madhavi, who has a catering business, said she had come a day ahead to Cascia School to find out if it was the centre for her daughter Kunjan.
Nazira Farheen, a homemaker, said she started the day early so that her daughter, who studied in Curzon School at Bunder, could reach Cascia School on time for the exam as they lived in Kudroli. Similarly, Sadiq from Deralakatte had come to the exam centre in Jeppu to take his brother home.
