This story is from June 24, 2020

Rural aspirants of MPSC want nearby test centres

Rural aspirants of MPSC want nearby test centres
Pune: Rahul Kawthekar from Beed came to Pune where he would spend at least 10 hours a day, preparing for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exams.
He has gone back home but can hardly study four hours a day on the small family farm where he helps his parents.
Kawthekar is angry about the Covid-19 situation which has been particularly tough for rural students.

MPSC students from rural areas are in a fix as the examination dates have been announced but they have no study resources.
Many students from Marathwada and Vidarbha come to Pune for the coaching.
They register in library-cum-reading-rooms (abhyasikas) where they spend the entire day studying.
They left when the lockdown was announced without the study material and have realised that their villages do not have the library facilities or book stores to source the study materials, or English newspapers to update their general knowledge.

“The situation is bad for all students who have returned to their villages. The farming sector is suffering. Many of us are either working on our own fields or as labourers in some other area. In Pune, everything was available and we could study with a focus. Here, we have nothing. Half the time, there is no cellphone range to look at educational content, and no study groups for preparation,” Kawthekar said.
Akshay Nargade from Amravati used to study in Pune and hopes there is a change of centre option. “My centre is in Pune. The same is the case with everyone from remote villages who go to Pune, Kolhapur, Sangli, Latur to study. Most of our study notes are in Pune. The economic condition is really bad and some of my friends have quit the preparation and gone back to farming or other work. On the top of it, the change of centre is not being allowed. We really will not be able to travel due to the risk of Covid-19 or afford to rent rooms,” Nargode said.
Many said they have sent requests to the chief minister , but a change of centre will not be feasible due to administrative reasons, said Sunil Autade, MPSC deputy secretary.
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