Punjab Chief Minister, Capt. Amarinder Singh, announced the cancellation of Class 5, 8 and 10 board exams amid rising COVID-19 cases in the state. The announcement was made today, April 15, 2021, via the chief minister’s official twitter account. Students of Class 5, 8 and 10 shall be directly promoted to higher classes without any examination. Furthermore, Class 12 State Board 2021 examination have also been postponed to a later date when the coronavirus situation improves in the state. The decision was announced after the Punjab CM conducted a virtual meeting with medical experts and top state officials.
Earlier, the Chief Minister had announced the closure of all education institutions in Punjab till April 30, 2021. The decision was taken to reduce the COVID-19 positivity rate in the age-group of 11-20. However, relief was also to be provided to such students about the impending exams.
Exams for Class 5 students have already been conducted for 4 out of 5 subjects. According to reports, Punjab Secondary Education Board (PSEB) shall announce the results based on marks obtained in these 4 subjects. Invariably, the fifth subject shall be neglected while evaluating the results.
Reports also suggest that Capt. Amarinder Singh provided certain directions to the state Education Department with respect to Class 8 and 10. Accordingly, results for these two classes shall be evaluated based on the Pre-Board Examination or internal assessments conducted by the respective schools. The Punjab CM also expressed appreciation towards the centre’s decision to cancel the Class 10 board examination.
PSEB has postponed the Class 12 board exams to a later date depending on when the COVID-19 pandemic stabilises. This decision comes a day after CBSE announced the postponement of Class 12 board exams. Punjab CM had conducted a virtual meeting with various state officials and medical experts to reach a consensus. Present at the meeting were the Medical Education Minister, OP Soni, Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla and DGP Dinkar Gupta.
India is currently experiencing a second wave of coronavirus, forcing central and state education boards to postpone their exams. Various states including Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have decided to cancel/postpone Class 10 and 12 board exams amid rising COVID-19 cases.
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) today announced that it shall soon take a decision on the postponement of Class 10 and 12 boards exams. Those concerned shall be intimated about the same after the required consensus is reached. Students and parents are also urging the educational boards to either cancel or postpone the exams due to the pandemic.
