Undeterred by the age factor, some jail inmates are going to appear in high school certificate (HSC) examinations beginning from March 25 in the State. At least three of the seven persons, who are going to appear in the examinations in the sub-centre set up at the Circle jail here have crossed 30 years of age.
Except one from the Central Home for Women, all other six candidates are under trial prisoners lodged in the jail for last some years for various heinous crimes including murder. One of them also was jailed for alleged involvement in Maoist activities, sources said. They will appear the examinations under regular correspondence course, said BSE regional office deputy director SB Tripathy.
While one of the candidates age has crossed over 38 years, others are between 19 and 35 years. They were school drop-outs before being jailed. “They were interested to appear in the matriculation examination. We have arranged all necessary facilities for their reading inside the jail,” said jailor RN Roul.
“From course fees to free coaching – we have arranged everything for them. While the tutors from a private coaching centre impart free coaching, the jail inmates who have completed their post-graduate courses also teach them,” said jail teacher Bhaskar Behera.
Superintendent of the nearby examination center will be the centre superintendent of the circle jail. Questions and answer papers will reach the jail centre before commencement of the examination every day, sources said.
The Board of Secondary Education (BSE) has set up the examination centre at Brahmapur circle jail since 2007.