West Bengal State Education Department is expected to make certain important announcements in the first week of June 2021 regarding the Madhyamik and Higher Secondary boards exams 2021. Currently, discussion is underway to decide the examination schedule and pattern to conduct the class 10 and 12 board exams.
Both class 10th, and 12th exams in the state were postponed to a later date due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the state. However, as the days progress, and the delayed exams are impacting next session as well as admission processes, the time has come to take a decision. As of now, hints are, that West Bengal is planning on conducting board exams once the conditions become conducive.
Currently, three alternatives exist before the West Bengal government.
First, to conduct exams as per the usual pattern when the situation becomes stable. The second alternative is to conduct the exams when the situation stabilizes but for a shorter duration. In this alterative, exams only for core or important subjects shall be conducted. The third or last option is to conduct home-based board exams.
Reports cite sources from the West Bengal school education department that the state is prepared to take a call. Moreover, Mamta Bannerjee, the state Chief Minister is constantly being updated about the situation. The presidents of West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education and West Bengal Board of Secondary Education have submitted their proposals.
According to reports, the boards have proposed to hold the class 10, 12 board exams when the situation improves rather than entirely cancelling them.
If this is not possible, the board has provided a second option. According to the other alternative, the long and elaborate board schedule must be reduced. Board exams can be conducted for lesser marks.
And a third option has also been proposed by the WBBSE and WBCHSE boards. This alternative instructs the board to send the question papers to candidates through the online mode. Candidates have the choice to appear for their exams at home or home-based centres.
Important announcement regarding these proposed options is expected to come out in the first week of June 2021. While all three options seem to be as practical as they are not, there is no saying what the government chooses to implement. Hence, candidates are advised to visit the official website and not believe any rumours regarding the board exams.
West Bengal is one of the few education boards to not cancel the class 10 board exams due to the second wave of coronavirus. While the state board is deliberating on how to conduct these exams, students and parents are repeatedly urging the government to cancel them. They are protesting against the physical conduction of exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
