The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) postponed the ISC chemistry paper 1 (theory) exam, originally scheduled for Monday 2pm, citing unforeseen circumstances. The rescheduled date is Thursday, March 21, at 2pm, according to a notice issued by CISCE deputy secretary Sangeeta Bhatiam.
While the reason for the postponement was not specified in the notice, many students expressed frustration over the lack of explanation for the sudden change. Concerns were raised about a possible paper leak though no official confirmation was provided.
My Kolkata spoke to a few teachers from different schools to get a closer look at the scenario.
“The announcement was made a few hours before the exam, a few of our students had reached the schools and they had mixed reactions to the news. I wish the students the best for their upcoming exams,” said Mita M. Bothra, a senior school chemistry teacher from a reputable Kolkata school.
“We got the notice in the early hours of the afternoon. In our school, all ISC students are expected to reach school by 1.15pm and hence, when the news was announced, none of them was here. I strongly believe after Covid-19, students are much more prepared for challenges and hence, this news of delay should not affect them. I think students should calmy focus on their upcoming exams and give their best,” added Sanghamitra Sinha, a senior school teacher from La Martiniere For Girls.
The notice issued by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
“We got to know about the postponement much ahead of time. These days as the communication is super fast, students from our school were informed about the same as soon as we got to know,” said Devi Kar, director, Modern High School for Girls, Kolkata. “I believe students must be prepared to face challenges in their day to day life. Incidents like this has happened before also, nowadays it has still changed that they do not have to sit for the paper and then get to know about the changes. The role of teachers is to give strength and confidence to students in such times and at present that is what we are focusing upon,” Kar added.
“At 12.39pm, our school principal shared this news with us in our group. Our ISC student strength is 165, more than 50 students had already reached the school by the time this news was announced. I feel before their chemistry exams, students should revise everything and as per this new date, students will get only two days’ time to go through everything (one’s appearing for the computer science paper as well). I suggest students, after their physics exam, must also revise chemistry inbetween to score well as they have a huge time gap,” said Sanchita Banerjee, a chemistry teacher from St Xavier’s Institution, Panihati.
The abrupt cancellation has inconvenienced numerous students and their families, with many only learning about the postponement only after arriving at the examination centre.