CBSE class 12 exam cancelled
Class 12 board exams will not take place this year for CBSE and CISCE students, the decision came after a meeting between high-profile ministers of the Narendra Modi government. The meeting was chaired by PM and attended by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar and Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh. In the meeting, Modi will be briefed on all options being considered by the government regarding the class 12 board exams. Currently, the government is considering two options including one of cancelling the physical exams. Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is currently hospitalized due to post COVID-19 complications and is not part of the meeting.
Class XII results will be made as per a well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner. Decision on Class 12 CBSE Exams has been taken in the interest of students, said PM Modi.
Referring to the wide consultative process, PM expressed appreciation that a student friendly decision has been reached after consulting all stakeholders from across the length and breadth of India. He also thanked the States for providing feedback on this issue. It was also decided that like last year, in case some students desire to take the exams, such an option would be provided to them by CBSE, as and when the situation becomes conducive.
In the last meeting between PMO and officials from the Ministry of Education, it was decided to cancel class 10 board exams. This time, it is expected that a final call will be announced from the government’s side. Once the govt takes a call, it will be informed to Supreme Court on June 3.
Demand for vaccinating children before asking them to appear for exams was also raised in the meeting. The majority still were in favour of board exams and CBSE had suggested holding exams between July 15 and August 26.
In one of the proposals under consideration, students will be assessed based on exams held earlier. Last year, subjects for which exams could not take place, marks were given on the basis of different subjects for which exams were held. Academicians claim the pandemic has put forth the long pending need for continuous assessment, Most schools, however, do not record data against learning outcomes and hence depend heavily on exams.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted saying he is glad and relieved that the exams have been cancelled, while Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia said the decision is in favour of students and teachers. "We welcome the decision. This decision is in favour of students and teachers. Earlier we have demanded the same. Students should be calculated on their earlier performances," Sisodia said.
