According to the latest media report, a plea for cancellation of CBSE and ICSE class 12 board exams has been filed in the Supreme Court. It has been made by Mamta Sharma, who is an advocate. With this, she is hoping for the cancellation of the CBSE and ICSE class 12 board exams and assessment to be done through ‘objective methodology’, within a specific duration. While the advocate is fighting for the cancellation of the exam, another PIL challenging the scrapping of CBSE, ICSE, and Maharashtra board class 10 board exams has also been filed with the Bombay High Court.
The plea by Mamta Sharma says, “Conducting Class 12 board examination is not possible because of surging COVID-19 cases. Even online or offline examination not feasible because of unprecedented pandemic. Delay in declaration of Class 12 results will hamper students taking admission in foreign universities. CBSE and CISCE must devise an object methodology to declare the results within specified time otherwise it will affect around 12 lakh students”.
On the other hand, the PIL filed with the Bombay High Court argues that if the state and national board are going to conduct board exams for class 12 students then it should also conduct class 10 board exams. It goes on to point out that in the state of Maharashtra, around 14 lakh candidates are to appear for class 12 exams. When such a huge number of students can appear for the class 12 board exam then class 10 student should also be allowed to take the test.
The second wave of COVID has proved to be even more fatal than the first one. Looking at the current situation in the country, everyone is worried about their health and safety. Even school boards and the education ministry is aware of the repercussion. Hence, in a recent media report, by a prestigious newspaper, the official sources of the ministry of education have hinted that CBSE class 12 exams might be postponed.
The sources said that given the current situation there is a high possibility that exams might be scrapped. It also disclosed that CBSE will review the situation in two weeks. It is expected that the final decision on the same shall be announced on or after June 01, 2021.
Once the prestigious media outlet published this news, a surging wave of confusion took over. However, CBSE was quick to respond and clarified out that “No such decision has been taken regarding CBSE class 12 examinations as being speculated in certain sections of media. Any decision taken in this matter will be officially communicated to the public.”
In this pandemic, schools boards have taken few historical measures, one of which is cancelling of the board class 10 board exams. The boards are now going to pass students on the basis of internal assessment. However, CBSE will also give unsatified students one opportunity to appear for the exam. These exams will be held later once, probably after improvement in the COVID situation.
So far, the exams for class 12 have only been postponed. If the exams will be cancelled or not, will depend on the situation of pandemic in the country. Whatever will be the case, the board will release the notice at least 15 days before the exam, if held. ICSE is expected to follow the same.
