In a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Ministers and state education ministers on the issue of Class 12 board exams, and entrance exams for professional courses amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Various issues were addressed in the meeting in which the Central Board of Secondary Education has suggested two options for the exams, which were postponed in view of the second wave of Covid infection. Reiterating that safety should be the top priority, the CBSE said it is taking a flexible approach.
Union Cabinet Minister for Education Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank tweeted that “I’m confident we will be able to arrive at an informed, collaborative decision regarding the Class 12th board exams and remove the uncertainty among student’s and parent’s minds by informing them of our final decision at the earliestâ€.
The minister has asked the State government to send their detailed suggestions till May 25 “As envisioned by the Hon’ble PM, the meeting was extremely fruitful as we received immensely valuable suggestions. I have requested the State Governments to send me their detailed suggestions by 25th Mayâ€.
“I want to reiterate that students’ and teachers’ safety, security, and future are supremely important to us†Dr Pokhriyal informed.
Maharashtra state education minister Varsha Gaikwad said, “In today’s meet with CBSE, we discussed that providing a safe environment for students is our priority. We will tell the SC that last year was unfortunate for students.â€
The dates will be announced on June 1. The meeting was held amid objections to exams from several states, which cited the health risk to teachers and students.
With CBSE suggesting two options for the exams, the first option is the exams can be conducted within a period of three months. One month of pre-exam activities and two months for the exams and declaration of results.
Another 30 days will be allowed for the compartment exams. Exams will be held only for major subjects and marks for minor subjects will be allotted on basis of performance in the major subjects.
August could be a likely month for holding these exams, and the whole process is likely to go on till the end of September, the board said.
Under the second option, 90-minute exams will be held in 19 major subjects. The students have to appear in one language and three elective subjects only. Based on their performance in these subjects, the result of the fifth and the sixth subjects, as the case may be, will be assessed.
“As the question papers will be delivered in electronic format to the centres, these exams do not need elaborate logistics and can be deployed and conducted in a flexible and responsive manner,†the CBSE said in their suggestions.
In case a student cannot write the exam due to any Covid-related issue, he/she will be provided another opportunity to sit for the exam.
