Power cuts make SSLC students sweat

But the students have been battling more than their school subjects. They have been grappling with the erratic power cuts.

With Mangalore's April temperature soaring, it is essential that students get uninterrupted power supply to study. But the people are disappointed, especially this year in the light of earlier assurances from Shobha Karandlaje, Minister for Energy.

As lights go off at night because of power cuts, many students in the city are forced to study in candlelight or abandon studies till the power returns. Students said that power cuts cripple their preparation as precious time was lost be it morning or night. Some students admitted that it had become a nightmare for them as they could not prepare for the examinations well due to the power shutdowns.

Hamsitha, a class 10 student of St. Anne's School, said: “The power cuts are a disturbance.

This happens every year during exam time. Why can't we get uninterrupted power supply?” In the current preparation holidays leading up to the examinations, she has frequently used an emergency lamp to study at night. But if the battery in the lamp gets used up, she has to go for candles.

“It is distracting to study in candle light, with so many shadows moving around,” she said. “Though I try my best to finish my revision during the day, I have nightmares about the exams,” she said.

Veena of St. Gerosa School, who is taking the Kannada examination on Friday, said that she did not study at night. She preferred studying early in the morning and through the day.

However, that does not mean she can manage without power. She said she found it tough to concentrate because of the oppressive heat during the day. What unsettles students is that the power cuts are unscheduled. Raunak, who studies in St. Aloysius School, said his studies were not affected by the power cuts as he has an inverter at home.

The Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Managing Director was not available for comments.

However, sources in Mescom said: “Mescom did not intend to cut power but has to resort to emergency load shedding.”

Dakshina Kannada district has 34,296 students, about 17,401 boys and 16,891girls, taking the class 10 examinations in 94 centres. The district has 421 schools, including 155 government schools, and 107 aided schools.