Uttarkashi: The aftermath of last year's devastating Dharali disaster has cast a long shadow over the academic performance of students at Govt Inter School, Harsil. In the recent board examinations for classes 10 and 12, only three out of seven students managed to pass, highlighting the profound disruption caused by the calamity.
Disaster's Toll on Students
School officials confirmed that several students faced direct consequences of the disaster, including the loss of their homes and educational materials. Sumit Gusain, the examination in-charge at the school, revealed that three students had their houses buried under debris. "Their educational materials, including notebooks and textbooks, were also lost," he said. The psychological impact of the tragedy further hampered their exam preparations.
Individual Cases of Struggle
One female student was forced to relocate to Uttarkashi to stay with relatives, traveling approximately 80 kilometers to reach the exam center. Despite her efforts, she could not clear the tests. Among the examinees, the sole male student in Class 12 failed, while both female students from Dharali who appeared for the Class 10 exam were also unsuccessful.
Teacher Shortage Affects Results Elsewhere
At Govt High School, Jhala, the absence of a mathematics teacher for an extended period adversely affected the results of two students. Principal Omesh Gahtori explained that a teacher was only appointed two months before the exams, leaving students inadequately prepared.
These incidents underscore the broader challenges faced by students in disaster-affected and resource-limited regions of Uttarakhand.
