Amid spiraling Covid-19 cases, the Maharashtra government on Monday decided to postpone board examinations of Class X and XII.
The announcement comes after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government held a series of meetings including an all-party meeting and a meet with the Covid-19 Task Force.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, after a detailed assessment of the situation, gave the final nod to postpone the exams.
The examinations by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education were to be held between April and May. While the Class XII exams were to start on April 23, the Class X exams were scheduled from April 30. The exams were to be completed by May.
Usually, the board exams in Maharashtra are held between February-March.
“Given the current Covid-19 situation in Maharashtra, we have postponed state board exams for class 10th and 12th. The present circumstances are not conducive for holding exams. Your health is our priority… Postponing exams seemed to be the most pragmatic solution,” state school education minister Varsha Gaikwad said in an announcement to students.
“Keeping in mind the schedule of entrance exams for professional courses, class 12th exams will be held by the end of May, while 10th standard exams will be in June. We're closely monitoring the health situation. Fresh dates for these exams will be announced accordingly,” she said.
“The decision is the outcome of consultations with various stakeholders — students, teachers, parents, elected representatives from across parties, academicians and tech giants — in the wake of rising coronavirus cases,” she said, adding that during the consultations, various alternative assessment options were evaluated keeping the health, well-being and future of our students in mind.
“We'll also be writing to the CBSE, ICSE, IB, Cambridge boards, requesting them to reconsider their exam dates,” she said.