COVID-19: CBSE exam called off, Maharashtra board next?

Representation pic

Following a decision of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, to cancel the Std X CBSE exam, the state board is mulling a similar step. School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said on Wednesday that the state education department might consider the same. However, the Std XII CBSE exam has been postponed and new dates would be declared after reviewing the situation towards the beginning of June. Also, the Ministry's notice says that the Std X students would be assessed based on an objective criterion to be developed by the board.

Std X CBSE students will be assessed based on an objective criterion that the board will decide. Representation pic

"Unlike state boards, CBSE has an all-India character, and therefore, it is essential to hold exams simultaneously throughout the country. This decision was taken looking at the present situation of the pandemic and school closures, and also taking into account the safety and well being of students. A notice of at least 15 days will be given before the Std XII CBSE examination starts. The results of the Std X board exam will be prepared on the basis of an objective criterion to be developed by the board. Any candidate who is not satisfied with the marks allocated to him/her on this basis will be given an opportunity to sit for the exam as and when the conditions are conducive to hold them," states the circular issued by the Ministry of Education.

Gaikwad said, "We have already requested and informed other educational boards in the state about our decision to postpone Std X and Std XII exams of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. We will study and discuss the Centre's (CBSE's) decision with the experts in the field." Sharing her views on the decision, headmistress of R N Podar School, Nikita Bajaj, said, "This is a huge relief considering the current situation. Schools as well as the board will now be able to focus on Std XII exams."

Varsha Gaikwad, Maharashtra School Education Minister

Parveen Shaikh, principal of Somaiya School, said, "Initially it came as a surprise as all of us were prepping for the exams, but students, parents and schools are relieved. Almost all CBSE schools have conducted prelims remotely and several internal assessment activities throughout the academic year, based on which the assessments can be done for Std X. The New Education Policy mentions that the importance given to board exams has to be reduced. After all it is just one milestone in a student's life. The pandemic is taking us closer to a newer version of board exams."

Anubha Shrivastava from India Wide Parents Association said, "The decision is a great relief. But there is still a lot of uncertainty for the Std XII students." Speaking on whether the same would be replicated by the SSC board, an official of the School Education Department said, "While it is a path-breaking decision by the CBSE, we have to remember that a variety of students appear for the SSC exams. Amid the pandemic many state board schools have complained how education has practically come to a standstill for them due to lack of technological support required for the alternative modes of learning. In such a situation, we will have to see if it's really possible to conduct the SSC-level assessment in an objective pattern."