In the beginning of this year, as the world’s largest vaccination campaign begun in India and cases of Covid-19 infected people were reducing, we thought that we had defeated the deadly virus. But what we did not expect is the arrival of coronavirus second wave, which proved to be much scarier and dangerous. It brought loss of lives across the country many times more than that of the previous wave last year. Since April 2021, India is witnessing a surge in Covid-19 infections. The country saw over 3 lakhs fresh cases of Covid-19 on a daily basis during mid April to mid May. With the increasing cases of Covid, it got difficult for people to resume their lifestyle in a normal way. Amid this massive surge, once again different sectors got impacted very cruelly including education sector. Therefore, once again the whole teaching and learning process adapted online mode of education. As a result of this, CBSE decided to cancel class X board exams. However, there is still suspense over class 12 board exams that will CBSE or state boards cancel the exams or conduct them later? Moreover, many states either cancelled or postponed the board exams in view of the current situation. In this article, we understand the board examination status in detail amid Covid-19 pandemic in India.
After lull of four months, when the number of daily COVID-19 cases had dropped to single digits and people stopped following the precautionary steps, country once again started witnessing a sudden surge in cases. The second wave of Covid-19 has caused a visible strain on the healthcare system. Even now the whole country is witnessing large number of cases in a single day across different states of the country. As the COVID-19 cases are rising at an alarming rate, CBSE, CISCE and several state boards have either postponed or cancelled class 10 and 12 board Examinations.
What is the Status of CBSE Board examination 2021?
Class 10th Board Exams Status:
Keeping the outbreak of second wave of coronavirus in mind, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) cancelled class 10th board exams which were going to be started from 4th of May 2021. But now the question arises here is that after declaring the cancellation of exams how students will get promoted to higher classes? What will be the criterion for evaluation? To answer all these questions the CBSE has recently declared a full proof plan for the evaluation of class 10 students. Education Minister Romesh Pokhriyal informs that CBSE class 10 results will be released on the basis of an objective criterion which is developed by the board.
CBSE Class 10th Result 2021
The board will evaluate results of class 10th students on the basis of marks scored in the exams during the academic year. The board most probably will declare the Class 10 results in July 2021. Now, the tabulation of CBSE Class 10 marks is in process in various schools. Earlier the board estimated the time of marks tabulation and announced it will declare the results by the third week of June. However, the board has extended the date to upload the CBSE Class 10 marks by the schools till June 30. So, students can now expect their Class 10 results of the cancelled board exams in July. The students can also check the details of the evaluation policy by logging in to the official website of CBSE.
Class 12th Board Exams Status:
Amidst the surge in COVID-19 cases, on one hand, the CBSE has cancelled class X board exams, the board has postponed class 12th examinations on the other. The education departmenthas been reviewing the situation arising out of COVID-19 and decided to hold class 12 board exams up to June 1. Consequently, keeping in mind the seriousness of the situation of increasing cases, several sections of the society including Parents Association have demanded cancellation of class 12th board exams too.
In addition with the cancellation of exams a section of parents and students has been demanding a similar marking strategy as of class 10th for class 12th exams. Some people mostly students also filed a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) in the Supreme Court for the cancellation of the exams. The India Wide Parents Association has also written to Prime Minister of India requesting to cancel class 12th board exams.
Will CBSE Class 12th Exams Be Cancelled?
Despite of the cancellation demands and requests by the parents, teachers and students the board has not given any update yet. Moreover, the National Council of CBSE Schools has urged the Union Education Minister not to cancel the exams but to postpone them.Secretary General of National Council of CBSE Schools has said that the exam has to be conducted even if it’s delayed. Somehow, it could be possible that the board will use alternative examination patterns to ease the difficulties arisen due to pandemic situation.
CBSE has reviewed the situation at times with the concerned authorities. Mostly, all states and authorities are in the favour of conducting class 12 exams. Since future of students in higher education depends largely on class XII exams, it would be difficult to curb these examinations.
Now, according to the latest updates, CBSE will release new class 12th board exams date sheet at least 15 days prior to the commencement of final exams. However, according to some reports CBSE is planning to conduct exams from July 15 but no final decision has been made yet. Although, there are some states including Karnataka, West Bengal, Uttarakhand who have still not postponed their board exams despite increase in cases of Covid-19 among the states. Meanwhile, CBSE stated that any decision taken in this matter will be officially communicated to the public.
Click here to know more about the Central Board of Secondary Education in our previous blog.
What is the Status of UP Board examination 2021?
The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has made several announcements for the upcoming class 10th and 12th UP board exams 2021. But despite the announcements, a final decision regarding the commencement and date sheet has not been declared yet. UP Board had postponed both class 10 and 12 board exams due to Panchayat elections which were scheduled to be held in the month of April. Later, with the sudden increase in the Covid-19 positive cases, the state has to further postpone the exams of both the classes. However, the final dates of the exams are awaited.
Is UP Board Conducting Class 10th and 12th Exams?
We are hearing heartbreaking incidents of the families who lost their loved ones this year. As this second Covid wave is wreaking havoc across several states of India, parents are becoming more anxious regarding the safety of their kids. Students and parents across the state of UP are pushing the state education department and UPMSP to postpone or cancel the upcoming board exams. They feel that conduction of physical exams amid the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is not fair for the candidates.
Earlier, the education department had stated that UPMSP would be announcing the final decision by May 20 but no announcement has been made yet. However, a couple of days ago, the UP board have asked the affiliated schools to upload their pre-board and half-yearly exam results on the official website of UPMSP. So it might be possible that the state board may take a final call on holding class 10 and 12 board examinations anytime soon.
The Story of Fake date sheet of UP Board Exams 2021:
Recently, a fake date sheet of class 10th and 12th exams was doing rounds on social media. The alleged date sheet declared the commencement of exams of both classes from May 17. Later, UPMSP Secretary Divya Kant Shukla clarified that viral date sheet is fake and no schedule had been released by the board yet. An FIR was being registered against those who had circulated this fake news.
What is the Status of Other Boards or State Boards Examination 2021?
As the COVID-19 cases are rising at phenomenal rate in this second wave in India, majority of the Indian states have cancelled or postponed the exams for classes X and XII. However, there are also some states which have not postponed their board exams as the rate of infection in these states are likely low as compared to other states.
Maharashtra:
The state board of Maharashtra has cancelled class 10 board exams and has postponed class 12 board exams amid the spike in COVID-19 cases. However, the decision about the criteria on which class 10 students will be passed has yet to be made.
Delhi:
Delhi government has even postponed class 9th and 11th exams. The state will soon announced the revised date sheet for the respective classes. While class 10th board exams have been cancelled and on the other hand the state government has postponed class 12th exams. However, the NCT has declared summer vacation from April 20 till June 9.
Council of Indian School of Certificate Examination (ISCE):
The ISCE board has cancelled the 10 board exams. The board has also withdrawn the option for students to later appear for the exam if not satisfied with school results. Meanwhile, the boards also postponed class 12 examination and most likely reveal the revised date sheet after June 1.
Other States:
Just like the state of Uttar Pradesh, many states like Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan also postponed both class 10th and 12th exams. All these states will revise the date sheet when the situation will be under control and declare it on the official websites of their respective state boards soon.
Conclusion:
Scientists working on mathematical models predict that the second wave of COVID-19 in the country is likely to taper off by the end of July. This means that in July there will be chances of reduction in the infected cases. So, it might be possible that the states which have postponed their state board exams might conduct them in the month of July. However, final decision is yet to be made in this context. But whether the state boards conduct the exams or not this halt due to second wave of pandemic has disturbed the whole education system.
The mutating of Covid variant also created a risk factor for us as every year it might be possible that we face different waves of this pandemic. If this happens, it will shake our education system from its core. Therefore, to save the authencity and quality of our education, experts need to prepare a model that contains education based on vocational trainings. But, for now we have to wait for the final words from the respective boards.
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