The parents of many students of Classes IX and XI at Delhi Public School Ruby Park have objected to the authorities’ decision that the children would write their exams on the campus.

About 600 parents have handed over a petition to the school authorities pleading that the option of online exams be kept open.

Faced with resistance from parents, some schools have called off the decision to conduct on-campus exams and some are offering students the option of writing the test online.

The state government has allowed schools, shut since March last year as a precaution against Covid, to reopen for in-person instruction for students of Classes IX to XII from February 12.

But many parents are still reluctant to send their children to school and many have refused to give consent.

“We want the school to give us the option of online exams, because we feel conditions are not conducive enough to send children to school,” said the mother of a Class XI student of DPS Ruby Park.

The school is reopening on Friday for the students of Classes IX to XII. Exams are slated later this month. Officials of the school said the two classes (IX and XI) together have around 1,200 students.

When asked about the parents’ demand to hold online exams, principal Joyoti Chaudhuri said: “Since we are reopening after so many months, our primary focus now is to resume classes on Friday. We will abide by whatever guidelines the board (CBSE) has given us.”

The CBSE sent a circular to all school heads on Thursday, saying: “For Classes IX and XI also, schools should take steps to identify and remedy the learning gaps and thereafter, conduct examinations by strictly following COVID safety protocols as per Examination Bye-Laws. This exam will also help in identifying learning gaps which could be addressed by the schools in the new academic session, at the beginning of classes, by having a bridge course especially designed to address learning gaps.”

Delhi Public School New Town has decided to cancel on-campus exams for students of Classes IX and XI. The tests will be held online, which 90 per cent of the parents want.

“We had wanted to conduct exams in school, but we have to take the consent of parents and also respect the concerns of the parents,” said principal Sonali Sen.

Teachers have also realised that children have lost the habit of sitting for two to three hours at a stretch, which they are required to do to write an exam.

The last time the students wrote an exam at school was in February-March last year.

At Julien Day School Ganganagar, only about 14 per cent of the parents have given consent to send their children to school. “We will conduct both online and offline examinations. We cannot force children to come in such a situation,” said principal Bobby Baxter.