West Bengal government announced the closure of all schools within the state from today, April 20, 2021. According to the order announced yesterday, April 19, 2021, summer vacations have been preponed and are scheduled to begin from May 07, 2021. The state government’s decision comes as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge in the state and country. West Bengal had already suspended classes for young students among rising coronavirus cases.
Schools in the state of West Bengal had previously reopened schools on February 01, 2021, after months of lockdown. However, due to the recent second wave of COVID-19 hitting the country, schools in the state have again ordered to be shut. Furthermore, the state has also put a hold on classes for standards 10 and 12. Even teachers are not permitted to attend schools, according to the order issued.
The order has now put a question on the postponement of Class 10 and 12 board exams in West Bengal. The state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee earlier, held talks regarding WBBSE and WBCHSE exams. Subsequently, the minister clarified that the state government shall take a call keeping the interest of students in mind. The final decision shall be announced at the appropriate time after considering the COVID-19 situation.
The state government is expected to make a decision soon on Class 10 and 12 board exams. The education board further advised students to visit the official website wbsche.ac.in or wbbse.org to solve their queries regarding the exams.
Recently, the Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) cancelled the Class 10 ICSE exams amid rising COVID-19 cases. Schools affiliated with the board were advised to begin the Class 11 admission process as soon as possible. Moreover, the Class 12 ICSE exams were previously scheduled for May 04, 2021. However, they have also been postponed to a later date.
CBSE along with various state boards like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have postponed or cancelled the Class 10 board exams. Similar to CISCE, these boards have postponed to Class 12 exams shall review the situation later to conduct them.
Giving much relief to anxious students, National Testing Agency (NTA) also announced the postponement of JEE Main 2021 April cycle exams to a later date. The April cycle was scheduled on April 27, 28 and 30, 2021 and have now been postponed.
NTA clarified that the student’s safety and well-being are of paramount importance. Hence, the postponement decision has been taken. However, the new examination date shall be announced 15 days prior to the examination to give ample reaction time to candidates.
