Varsha Gaikwad: Board exams for classes 10 and 12 in May

Schools and colleges have been closed since the lockdown was imposed across the state in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Maharashtra education minister Varsha Gaikwad on Thursday said that board exams for classes 10 and 12 are not possible before May. She further said that the state is mulling to open schools and colleges for classes 9 to 12 immediately after Diwali.

The classes for student will be held either in two sessions or on alternate days. This would help in maintaining social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. We are planning to hold board exams for classes 10 and 12 in May and it is possible only if we start schools immediately after Diwali,” said Gaikwad.

According to the education department, it is trying to conduct 10th and 12th exams in May, because holding exams in monsoon will create problems for students in rural areas.

Gaikwad said schools for classes 1 to 8 would not be opened immediately. “We will begin with older students from class 9 and above in the first phase. For students from classes 1 to 8 online classes will continue as usual. The final decision about opening of schools will be taken by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray,” she said.

The state government is expected to issue an SOP for schools and colleges on the lines of the ones issued for teachers, for whom 50% attendance has been made mandatory.