Academicians, experts feel that CBSE 12th exams must not be cancelled

By Mehboob Inamdar

Aurangabad, May 5:

Academicians and experts from the city feel that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) must not cancel the 12th examinations.

It may be noted that the CBSE has cancelled the 10th standard examinations considering health safety because of COVID 19 spread.

The students will be promoted to the next classes on the basis of scores obtained by the candidate in the ‘different tests conducted by the respective school during the year. The Central Board has postponed 12th standard examination scheduled to be held in March due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The final decision about examinations of 12th standard would be taken in the first week of June.

However, a social media campaign- #cancel12thboardexams2021’ was trending on social media. Thousands of 12th class students are supporting it through their social media handles to raise concern and urging for the cancellation of the board examinations. The students saying that the CBSE should find an alternative assessment for the results as appearing for offline examinations is risky and a threat to their life in the present situation.

Principal of Nath Valley School Ranjit Dass feels that the CBSE 12 standard examinations must not be cancelled.

“The examinations can be postponed further if the situation is not favourable to hold next month. The decision about the examinations would be taken in the first week of June. There is a cut-off for admissions in many top institutes after the 12th. This is a turning point for one’s career point of view,” he added.

Muhammed Munir-uz-Zama Deshmukh (head-school development, Pearls Academy) said that the decision to postpone the examinations was a prudent one but cancelling grade 12 examination is not an alternative as it would be unfair to lakhs of students and would impact university admissions.

“As the spread of Covid-19 is not uniform across the states, taking a decision in a few months, maybe June, will be pragmatic. If the Government and Universities can plan for other examinations last year and execute it, CBSE can wait for a month before making a decision. Simultaneously, if online examinations are the way out for class 12 students, a lot has to be planned for students with no access to an online system,” he said.

Muhammed Munir-uz-Zama said if the ministry cancels the 12th board exams right away, it will lead to chaos on the ground as to how the students will get admissions in college. Universities across the country should also be on board with the decisions and planning of the HRD ministry and CBSE.

He suggested for a well thought and crafted solution needs to be worked out.