Ravindra Fadnavis, Secretary of the Maharashtra Rajya Shaikshanik Sanstha Mahamandal (MRSSM), on Tuesday issued a strong warning to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Education Department, demanding a revised timetable for school examinations held during Nagpur’s sweltering summer. He cautioned that if directives from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court were not followed, a contempt petition would be filed.
The High Court, in a recent hearing, criticized the extension of annual exams for Classes 1 to 8 till April 25 and directed education officers to consider local weather conditions before finalising schedules. The court also instructed that such decisions must be approved at the senior-most level. Formal communication of the court’s order has been sent to the Deputy Director of Education and primary and secondary education officers.
Speaking at a press conference, Fadnavis said that officials have assured him that a revised proposal will be forwarded to higher authorities in accordance with the court’s directive.
PAT Exam Mismanagement Sparks Outrage
Fadnavis also raised serious concerns about the ongoing Periodic Assessment Tests (PAT), which commenced on April 8. He claimed that the exams were poorly managed from the outset, with only half the required question papers dispatched to schools. Teachers were then reportedly directed to photocopy seven-page-long papers, which allegedly led to the question papers being leaked and circulated on YouTube.
Calling the current situation chaotic, Fadnavis demanded that the PAT exams be either cancelled outright or rescheduledto the beginning of the academic session. He also pointed out the logistical and physical challenges of conducting two exams in one day, especially amid soaring temperatures.
Slams Arbitrary Decision-Making
Taking a swipe at the education administration, Fadnavis remarked, “Every new IAS officer makes arbitrary decisions without understanding ground realities, and the Education Minister blindly agrees to them.”
With temperatures rising and student well-being at stake, MRSSM’s firm stance is likely to intensify pressure on the education department to reconsider the academic calendar in heat-affected regions like Nagpur.