Bhatkal: The SSLC examinations commenced across Karnataka on March 18, with a total of 9,02,889 students appearing statewide. In Karwar educational district, 9,361 students are taking the exams across 39 centres.

In Bhatkal taluk, 2,042 regular candidates (875 boys and 1,167 girls), along with 246 private candidates, are appearing for the examinations, taking the total number of candidates to 2,297.

The examinations began with the First Language paper, covering Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, English, and Sanskrit. In Bhatkal, 35 students were absent on the first day, the majority of whom (33) were private candidates.

According to Block Education Officer (BEO) Venkatesh Nayak, a total of nine examination centres have been set up in the taluk, including five in Bhatkal town and four in other areas.

The centres in Bhatkal town are Islamia Anglo Urdu High School, Anjuman Girls High School (Basti Road), New English School, Anand Ashram Convent School, and Sonarkeri Kannada Medium School. The remaining centres are located at Government School, Belke; Janata Vidyalaya, Shirali; Bina Vaidya School, Murdeshwar; and the newly added Janata Vidyalaya High School, Murdeshwar.

All centres have been equipped with CCTV cameras, and webcasting arrangements have been made to ensure transparency. Measures have also been put in place for the secure transportation of question papers and to prevent malpractice.

Sources said 104 students were absent across the district on the first day, including 35 from Bhatkal. Overall, the examinations were conducted smoothly, with students appearing in a calm and orderly manner. The next paper, Science, is scheduled for Monday, March 23.