The proposal to conduct Class 12 board exams in July-August with the evaluation process stretching up to September will hamper the college admission schedule and may affect plans of the students who wish to study abroad, according to school principals
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed conducting the exams between July 15 and August 26 and the result to be declared in September.
In a high-level meeting on Sunday, the board also proposed two options: conducting regular exams for only major subjects at notified centres or holding shorter-duration exams at the school where a student is enrolled.
Majority of states favour shorter duration exams, few insist on vaccinating students
A majority of states have chosen the option of conducting shorter duration class 12 board exams in home schools for major subjects while few have stressed on the need to vaccinate students and teachers before going ahead with the exercise, according to sources
The Ministry of Education had asked the states and union territories to submit detailed suggestions till Tuesday on the two proposals discussed in a high-level meeting on Sunday.
The CBSE has proposed conducting the exams between July 15-August 26 and the result to be declared in September. The board also proposed two options: conducting regular exams for 19 major subjects at notified centres or conducting shorter duration exams at respective schools where students are enrolled.
Meanwhile, as the hashtag "cancelboardexams" continued to trend on Twitter, over 300 students wrote a letter to Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana to quash the proposal regarding physical conduct of examination and provide for alternative assessment scheme similar to last year.
Decision on Class 12 board exams to be taken at the in next few days: Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
A broad consensus emerged on conducting the Class 12 board examinations –with selective subjects and in a staggered manner – at a meeting convened by the Centre with state education ministers on Sunday.
Vaccinating class 12 students before board exams important but impractical at present: Experts
Assam, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Meghalaya have also urged the central government to vaccinate teachers and students on priority to ensure their safety during their time at the test centre.
A medical expert from a leading private healthcare facility, requesting anonymity, said, "Unless you have a vaccine that is licensed for that age group, you cannot administer it. The trials for Covaxin have begun and we don't know about Covishield's trials for the 2 -18 years age group. Only Pfizer is the one available for aged above 12".
In a letter to Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Sisodia said if experts suggest against giving Covishield or Covaxin jabs to class 12 students, the Centre government should procure Pfizer vaccine which has been approved for children above the age of 12 years.
Vaccination or cancellation: Delhi govt's suggestion to Centre on class 12 board exams
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Tuesday reiterated his demand of "vaccination or cancellation" in his suggestions sent to the Central government on conducting Class 12 board exams.