Exam fever (not Covid fever)

Mira's second Pre-Board exams start on Sunday (in the Gulf, the work week begins on Sunday), so after initially opting for online exams on my prodding (I hate to get up or plan her breakfast at dawn) she decided to change to onsite exams - since online is quite tedious and each section is given a certain time only, if a file is closed the exam can be considered done and uploading is very tedious. 

The only other  advantage of online, apart from the waking up late, is the chance to copy from the web by keeping a page open or discussing the answers in an instagram class group chat. Mira decided the temptation to copy would be great if writing online and she wanted to be truthful even if it meant she may not get the stream of her choice, which is Commerce. The second Pre Board results decide the stream for Grade 11 in her school and though the bulk of the students opt for PCMC or PCMB, which she has absolutely no interest in, she is still doubtful of getting her desired stream.

Commerce is popular among some who aim for CA or CPA and the like. Humanities is the least favorite, even if the child wants to most Indian parents force them to take Science or Maths groups as we called it in our PDC days. I myself was a victim - though I fancied doing Humanities I never dared tell my dad that I didnt want to study science with maths to boot. By the time I joined for BA, I was clearer about my choice and insisted on English Litt.

Well, so Mira was asked to appear for a PCR test arranged by the school and the Ministry, all free of cost, on Tuesday morning. Vinod took us before going to office. While Mira went for the nose job in the primary wing, I went to the book store to get Ash's books. The school was dead quiet, the classrooms closed and with a list of the names of (the handful of) onsite students stuck on each classroom door. Uniform sale has taken a dive since the school doesnt insist the children sit for online class in full uniform, and the buses remain stationary at the entrance. Vinod says the school saves on ac tariff which would be hefty savings considering all classrooms and corridors (and school buses) here are air conditioned.

On the way back, we went to finish off Mira's pending Em ID registration - over-15s need to give biometric details in person at the concerned dept when the ID goes for renewal every 2 years.

Me and Mira stopped at Sahara mall on the way home, bought some veggie fare - owing to Lent fasting - at Spinneys, the UK store that sells everything British and local a little above the normal price. We sat in the near-empty mall food court and had our fill - while I took quinoa with feta cheese and pomegranate, Mira had pasta and roast potato salad (in case you are wondering what the food above is). Packed some for Ash and went home in an African taxi (as luck would have it) though I didnt attempt any conversation with Samuel the driver.

p.s. Mira's test result has come negative, this being her second poking of the nose for school exams.