Parents have complained about power outages in some Sittwe wards during the ongoing matriculation examination.

The exam for the academic year 2022-23 is being held from March 8 to March 18.

On March 7, one day before the exam, Pyitawthar and Anauk Sanpya wards reported long power outages, lasting from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

On March 8, Shwepyithar and South Lanmadaw wards had power outages from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

“Students had to read by candlelight. It is not OK for them,” said the mother of a matriculation student from South Lanmadaw ward on condition of anonymity.

A schoolteacher from Pyitawthar ward said she had not thought that there would be a blackout during the matriculation exam.

“I don’t want to say anything about power cuts at other times. However, blackouts during the period of exam are unacceptable. It is a nuisance for students. Reading with electric lamps is different from reading with candlelight,” she said.

DMG was unable to contact the Arakan State electricity department for comment on the power outages.

The Arakan State electricity supply enterprise on March 3 issued a notice urging micro, small and medium enterprises not to operate between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. until the matriculation exam period ends.

“If they are to cut power, they can cut it during the daytime. I don’t want them to cut power at night,” said a mother from West Sanpya ward.

In Arakan State, the matriculation exam for the academic year 2022-23 is being held at 60 exam centres in towns. A total of 19,290 students are sitting for the matriculation exam, while 2,362 students failed to show up for the first day of the exam, according to the state education department.

The ongoing exam is the last exam to be held under the old curriculum, and as of next year, a new curriculum will be introduced for matriculation students