A party of 297 students has written to Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, requesting that he take suo-moto cognizance and quash the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision to conduct physical examinations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It called upon the CJI to direct the assessment of Class 12 students on the basis of alternative modes/online exams so as to do “complete, equal and fair justice” to the student and “exclude possibility of discrimination, disadvantage and risk of life.”
The letter petition noted that the decision to physically conduct examination of Class 12 is not only “unjustified” but also “impractical” and will be a “disastrous” step if executed, having a “cascading effect to life, health and safety of millions of students, parents, teachers and support staff.”
“The country is in the middle of the biggest health crisis. Many states are undergoing lockdown. Many students have also migrated with their families to their native places. Physical conduct of exams will require them to travel back to base location, which will entail a huge risk to their life, health,” the letter petition filed by students and assisted by Supreme Court advocate Tanvi Dubey stated
“Not only the students but also their families will be at great risk if the students are exposed to the virus. It is a proven fact that the senior citizens are most vulnerable to the virus. Therefore the physical conduct of exam is totally a mindless exercise,” says the letter.
In addition, those under the age of 18 were not vaccinated, according to the submission. “There is still apprehension about the third wave, with concerns that it would have an effect on youth. Due to a lack of progress in child vaccines and other preventive assistance, the physical behaviour of the test would have a significant impact on the lives of thousands of pupils.”
The letter petition inquired as to who would be responsible if examination centres were hotspots. It also stated that an alternate assessment should be used for student evaluation.
The step comes days after Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a high-level meeting to find a “consensus” on the conduct of board exams. The nation, on the other hand, requested a complete list of recommendations from all states and promised to make a decision by June 1, 2021. Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Prakash Javadekar, Smriti Irani, chief ministers, and education ministers all attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously discussed the forthcoming board exams on May 21. He had pushed for the convening of a high-level conference and a decision to be made by keeping students’ welfare and academic careers in mind.
