The English question paper of the ongoing Nagaland Board of School Education’s High School Leaving Certificate Examinations 2019. The paper held on February 13 asked the students to write on the state’s 'Poor road conditions' in about 120-150 words. The question accompanied by visuals was worth 5 marks. (Morung Photo by Special Arrangement)
Students asked to write about bad roads for 5 marks in Class X English paper
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 21
Bad roads in Nagaland and an apparent governmental apathy has become a staple of idle conversations and literature. Pictures and stories of eroded road tarmacs hitting the news and being subjected to impassioned discussions on social media have become a trend.
While the deplorable road conditions getting featured as academic questions in exams are rare or rather unheard of, the state has earned just that distinction by having the subject getting featured as part of questions in the Nagaland Board of School Education’s High School Leaving Certificate Examinations 2019.
In the HSLC English paper examination held on February 13, a surprise awaited the students as they were asked to write on the state’s “Poor road conditions” in about 120-150 words. The question accompanied by visuals was worth 5 marks.
The students, appearing the paper, in all likelihood, took it as a piece of cake having gotten an opportunity to write about something in which almost all in Nagaland are well versed in and that too for a plump 5 marks.
While it passed off oblivious to many adults, including the powers that be, it made the news with The New Indian Express breaking the story on February 21.
The news story featured comments from students, who sat for the paper, and also the reaction of the Nagaland PWD Minister Tongpang Ozukum.
It quoted two students expressing surprise on seeing the question.
“It is so true about our state. I was happy that I got a chance to give vent to my pent up anger. The condition of the roads in Nagaland is deplorable. There are, in fact, no roads. All that we have are potholes,” it quoted one of the students Ahivili Zhimomi.
It cited another Nasher Chaudaury, as evoking reality in Nagaland.
“Roads are the only mode of transport in the land-locked Nagaland but their condition has not been improved in years. The commercial hub of Dimapur has the worst roads in Nagaland,” the report added for effect.
It further quoted a Dimapur-based writer Along Longkumer commenting that the exam question reflected public anger.
“That it has now become a subject matter in school education shows the utter disgust felt by everyone,” he said, adding, “I am sure the students will get good marks on this question because even young people know all about corruption and they all have seen how bad the roads are in Nagaland”.
While it “has gone viral on social media," it said that the state government sought to put up a brave face.
It said that the Minister for the Public Works Department Tongpang Ozukum responded that it was good the issue was highlighted in the exam.
“That’s good. If there is any problem, it should be brought to the notice of the department concerned. So, we should welcome it,” it quoted Ozukum.
In the department’s defence, the Minister justified that the roads have been in bad condition for many years due to funds crunch and sought to clarify that not all the roads are under the charge of the state PWD.
“We have roads under various agencies including PWD of Nagaland but people think all roads belong to the state government. As far as roads under PWD of Nagaland are concerned, we cannot construct or improve their condition overnight. We have 12,000 plus kilometers of roads under PWD of Nagaland,” Ozukum said.
The last monsoon was the worst for Nagaland with the rains damaging “a number of roads.”
“We are trying to improve them. We have selected 26 roads each in Kohima and Dimapur for improvement with good specification. This is just the beginning. The government stands for change,” he added.
Till then the issue of bad roads in Nagaland will continue to be a staple of idle conversations and literature, besides entering into academic realms like the aforesaid poser.
