Bijepur bypoll: Even bigger test for matric students

Bargarh: Class X students in Bijepur are facing a test ahead of their real test as they get rattled by the blaring election campaigns by political parties for the by-election to the Assembly constituency.

The three major political parties- BJD, BJP and Congress- have all amped up their efforts and high decibel campaigning with sound boxes and loudspeakers are testing the concentration levels of students who are scheduled to sit for the matric exams on Feb 23, a day before voting for Bijepur bypoll.

“I am unable to study due to the heavy noise. The use of loudspeakers and amplifiers by the political parties till late hours has made it difficult for us to study,” said a class 10 student of Guderpali, Seshadeba Bag.

Another student of the same village, Ahalya said the door-to-door campaigning by cine starts and heavyweight leaders is also a major distraction.

“It’s getting difficult to concentrate due to the loudspeakers used during public meetings and rallies. Besides, the campaign vehicles are also creating noise pollution,” she added.

The campaigning is disturbing the children. They are not being able to concentrate on their studies, said mother of a class 10 student, Kanaka Mirdha.

However, Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra denied such problems for students due to the election campaigning.

“Issues will arise if re-polling is needed for any booth, else there will be no problems,” the minister said.

The voting for the by-poll will be held on February 24 while the results will be declared on February 28.