Siliguri: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations' decision to hold the Class XII exams of a Malda school in Calcutta next year has put the students in a quandary, who are worried about travelling 350km during the test season.

The tests for St. Xavier's School, Malda, will be held in a Calcutta centre.

"So far, students of the school used to appear in ICSE and ISC exams at their home centre. But this time, the council has informed us that the centre for ISC examinees would be somewhere in Calcutta. The students, their guardians and even we are deeply worried over this issue and have sought the administration's intervention," said Prashanta Roy, a senior teacher.

This year, 147 students will appear for the ISC exams while another 107 students will take the ICSE test from the school.

The decision comes against the backdrop of principal Abhijit Jha resigning last week. Since then, Roy is managing the school.

Jha, however, said he had "withdrawn" his resignation.

"A section of guardians and students had been demonstrating on the issue. I could no longer take the pressure and decided to step down. However, I have changed my decision. I will go to Delhi on Monday to meet representatives of the council. I am hopeful that the decision will be changed," he said.

Asked what made the council take the decision, Jha said: "During the ISC exams this year, a section of students and guardians had created some disturbance. That is why the council made this decision."

A section of teachers are not ready to buy his theory.

"He had stepped down and now, he has given a letter mentioning he is willing to continue in the principal's post. Such random change in decisions is something that we cannot endorse, particularly at this point of crisis. The council allows schools to hold exams in home centres with the belief that it would be conducted in a proper manner. The former principal (Jha) has failed to carry out his responsibility," said a teacher.