Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) Board is waiting for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to take a firm call on Class 10 and 12 board exams. Based on the central education board’s decision, JAC shall be taking a final decision. As per reports, the state is considering the option of conducting the board exams at home centres. Unlike the previous year, students shall appear for the exams at their own schools rather than different exam centres. However, these are just speculations and the state government is yet to announce any decision officially.
Earlier, on May 29, 2021, Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, stated his unwillingness to conduct the board exams amid the COVID19 pandemic. According to him, it would not be appropriate to let students give offline exams under present circumstances. Around the same time, JAC decided to promote Class 9 and 11 students based on their internal assessment marks.
Despite the state’s unwillingness, it is still waiting for the Union Government to announce its decision. Jharkhand is one of the few states to postpone both Class 10 and 12 board exams indefinitely owing to the COVID19 pandemic. Most central and state education boards have cancelled the Class 10 exams while postponing the Class 12 boards. However, on May 28, 2021, JAC decided on cancelling the Class 10 board exams. Class 10 students were to be promoted based on the marks scored in internal assessments.
Previously, the Class 10 and 12 boards exams for the academic year 2020-21 were scheduled from May 04 to 21, 2021. Apart from postponing the exams, JAC also clarified that the pandemic situation shall be reviewed on June 01, 2021, and a decision shall be taken subsequently. However, CBSE is unlikely to announce any decision today and thus, JAC’s decision shall also delayed.
The central government was expected to announce its decision regarding the CBSE Class 12 exams on or before June 01, 2021. However, today, Mr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ got admitted to AIIMS Delhi due to certain post-COVID complications. Thus, reports suggest that the announcement of final decision may get delayed.
The Supreme court was also scheduled to hear two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) yesterday, May 31, 2021. One PIL was in favour of conducting Class 12 board exams and the other was against it. However, the bench is now scheduled to hear the case on Thursday, June 03, 2021. This may be another reason for a delay in announcing CBSE’s decision.
As of now, CBSE is looking at both alternatives – conducting the CBSE Class 12 board exams or cancelling them. It is expected to file a response in court on June 03, 2021, announcing its final call. As for students, they have consistently tweeted their requests and demands to cancel the Class 12 board exams amid the second wave of COVID19 in the country.
