PANAJI: While welcoming the state government’s decision to cancel SSC examinations, opposition leader Digambar Kamat urged chief minister Pramod Sawant to prepare an action plan for the coming academic year. Kamat has also asked the government to ensure that Goa’s internet connectivity is improved so that students can appear for online entrance and aptitude tests. “I welcome the decision of the government to cancel SSC examination for this academic year. I urge the chief minister to continue consultations with educationists and take appropriate action on HSSC exams at the earliest,” said Kamat. The Congress party’s students wing, the NSUI, has demanded that the HSSC exams should be postponed until all students are vaccinated. “If the exams are held without vaccination of student community, it will lead to the third wave. With the health facility in a poor state, NSUI fears the health hazard and the threat to the lives of the young students,” said NSUI president Ahraz Mulla. Epidemiologists and modelling studies suggest that the third wave could hit Goa around September and affect children and youngsters who have not been inoculated. “It is important that a proper plan of action is prepared for the next academic year for all levels after seeking advice of experts. I strongly believe that decisions pertaining to education and academic career of students must always be taken in proper consultation with experts from the field of education,” said Kamat. The former chief minister has also urged the government to ensure that proper network connectivity is established in the state, especially at the centres where online entrance exams and other aptitude tests will be conducted. “Uninterrupted and consistent network connectivity will help students concentrate and answer the examinations and give their best performance,” said Kamat.