Bhubaneswar, 11 July (H.S.): The Odisha Nurses & Midwives Registration Council (ONMRC) has issued show-cause notices to 16 nursing colleges in Balasore district over the prolonged delay in conducting semester examinations for BSc Nursing students.

The Council has directed the institutions to explain within two days the reasons behind the delay and submit detailed reports on the status of the pending examinations. It has warned that strict action may be initiated against colleges that fail to provide a satisfactory response.

The action follows a protest by hundreds of BSc Nursing students from five private colleges affiliated with Fakir Mohan University. On Friday, the students staged a sit-in demonstration outside the university, alleging that their seventh and eighth semester examinations have remained pending despite enrolling in the four-year programme more than six years ago.

According to the students, the prolonged delay has significantly disrupted their academic progress, delaying graduation and adversely affecting their prospects for higher education, professional registration, and employment.

During the protest, a student delegation also met Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, who was visiting Balasore, and urged him to intervene and ensure the early conduct of the pending examinations.

The ONMRC’s intervention has brought renewed focus to the academic challenges faced by nursing students in the district, with stakeholders now awaiting corrective measures to address the prolonged examination delays and safeguard students’ academic and professional futures.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda