44 jail inmates clear board exams from prisons across Gujarat

Gandhinagar: A total of 44 jail inmates successfully cleared the Classes 10 and 12 board exams this year, appearing for their exams from prisons located in different parts of the state.

An official statement said 22 jail inmates cleared the Class 10 exam while 22 cleared the Class 12 exam this year. The prisons department assisted the candidates by providing facilities to fill forms and giving them study materials. The state education department arranged for exam centres at prison premises itself, the statement added.

Without naming the jail inmate, the official statement quoted a candidate as saying, “I received inspiration from the prison radio, and the welfare office, and the prison officials encouraged me to take up studies. Today, after getting success in the exam, I feel very satisfied.”

Another prisoner was quoted as saying that due to the financial situation of the family, he abandoned his studies midway and remained depressed after he was awarded a prison sentence. He expressed happiness at having cleared his board exam.

A prisoner who passed his Class 12 exam said that despite being in prison, his dreams are alive. He attends music classes two days a week and wants to go out and become a singer.

State police chief K L N Rao, while congratulating the prisoners, said that the successful candidates will be felicitated by the prisons department.