Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today that there will be no Class 12 board exams this year, putting an end to weeks of anxiety among students and parents over the country’s Covid situation. According to his office, the decision was made due to “uncertain conditions” caused by COVID-19 and based on feedback from various stakeholders.
“Students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
“The health and safety of our students is of utmost importance and there will be no compromise on this aspect,” said the statement, quoting PM Modi.
“Government of India has decided to cancel the Class XII CBSE Board Exams. After extensive consultations, we have taken a decision that is student-friendly, one that safeguards the health as well as future of our youth,” PM Modi tweeted.
According to the PMO release, the CBSE will now take steps to compile the results of Class 12 students based on “well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.” Students who still want to take the exams will be given a chance when the situation improves, as it was last year, according to the government.
PM Modi announced the decision shortly after meeting with key ministers and officials from various ministries and stakeholders.
“COVID-19 has affected the academic calendar and the subject of board exams was causing immense anxiety among students, parents and teachers, which had to be put to an end,” said the PMO statement.
The decision comes two days before a Supreme Court hearing in which the Centre is expected to respond to a petition seeking precisely this. After the Centre requested more time, the court rescheduled the hearing for June 3.
The CBSE had recommended that the exams be held between July 15 and August 26 at a meeting on May 23. It also proposed two alternatives: regular exams in 19 major subjects at notified centres and shorter-duration exams at the students’ schools.
After that meeting, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal stated that the majority of states supported holding the exam. Mr Pokhriyal was admitted to the AIIMS hospital in Delhi today due to complications from the Covid procedure.
