NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, SEPT 1
Some 45 percent candidates from Gujarat skipped the Joint Entrance Exams (JEE) which began nationwide on Tuesday for admission in engineering and pharmacy courses.
A senior official said the percentage of students skipping the test stood at 25-30 percent in earlier years and the current figure was “10-15 percent” more.
The state government had said on Monday that 38,167 students had registered for the exam being conducted by the National Testing Agency in 32 centres in 13 districts between September 1-6.
“On the first day, out of 3,020 registered students, only 1,664, or 55 percent, remained present, while 1,356 (45 percent) did not turn up. Normally, 25-30 percent students skip the exams every year. The percentage this year is higher by 10-15,” said Virendra Ravat, JEE Coordinator for Gujarat.
On Monday, Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama had said the administration would hold the exams after taking all precautions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
