The government decided to cancel Class 12 board exams on Tuesday, ending weeks of uncertainty among students, their parents and teachers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the “anxiety among students, parents and teachers must be put to an end”.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Modi, it was decided to cancel CBSE Class XII board exams. It was also decided that CBSE would take steps to compile the results of Class XII students as per a well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.
Hours later, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) took a similar decision and cancelled its Class XII board examinations this year in view of the COVID-19 situation, according to its secretary Gerry Arathoon, PTI reported. "The exams have been cancelled. The alternative assessment criteria will be announced soon," he said.
The CICSE had last week asked its affiliated schools to submit data, including average of marks obtained by Class 12 students in Class 11 and during this session. The board had postponed Class 12 exams which were scheduled from May 4 in the light of the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuesday’s decisions on the exams come amid a high caseload of COVID-19 cases in several states and continuing health-related apprehensions about the future. Modi said the health and safety of students were of utmost importance, and there would be no compromise on this aspect.
“Anxiety among students, parents and teachers must be put to an end, and students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation,” a government statement quoted the Prime Minister as saying at the meeting.
The CICSE had last week asked its affiliated schools to submit data, including average of marks obtained by Class 12 students in Class 11 and during this session. The board had postponed Class 12 exams which were scheduled from May 4 in light of the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the decision coming amid a high caseload of Covid-19 cases in several states and continuing health-related apprehensions about the future, Modi said the health and safety of students are of utmost importance, and there would be no compromise on this aspect.
“Anxiety among students, parents and teachers must be put to an end, and students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation,” a government statement quoted the prime minister as saying.
Modi further asserted that all stakeholders need to show sensitivity towards the students as well as their parents and teachers.
At the review meeting, officials gave a detailed presentation on the wide and extensive consultation held so far and views received from all stakeholders, including by the state governments.
"In view of the uncertain conditions due to Covid-19 and the feedback obtained from various stakeholders, it was decided that Class XII Board Exams would not be held this year," the statement said.
Modi said at the meeting that Covid-19 has affected the academic calendar and the issue of board examinations has been causing immense anxiety among students, parents and teachers, which must be put to an end.
He said the Covid-19 situation is dynamic across the country, and that the number of cases is coming down with some states managing the situation through effective micro-containment, while some states have still opted for a lockdown.
Students, parents and teachers are naturally worried about the health of the students in such a situation, he noted, asserting that students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation.
Tuesday’s meeting was attended by Union ministers of home, defence, finance, commerce, information and broadcasting, petroleum and women and child development, and Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary and secretaries of School Education and Higher Education departments.
The CBSE had on April 14 announced cancellation of Class 10 exams and postponement of Class 12 exams in view of surge in coronavirus cases.
The Ministry of Education had recently sought detailed suggestions from states and union territories on proposals discussed in a high-level meeting on the issue.
The government had informed the Supreme Court, which is hearing a plea seeking the exam's cancellation, that it will take a final decision by June 3.
Kejriwal relieved
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it is a "big relief" that the Class 12 board exams had been cancelled. "I am glad 12th exams have been cancelled. All of us were very worried about the health of our children. A big relief," Chief Minister Kejriwal tweeted.
His deputy Manish Sisodia, who has been against the idea of conducting the exams in the given circumstances, also said, "I am happy that the never-ending class 12 for 1.5 crore students of the country will finally end."
