The Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE, has proposed two alternatives for the Class 12 board examinations, which have been delayed due to the second wave of Covid contamination. This afternoon, a presentation was made to a group of ministers headed by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. According to sources, the government is likely to choose a short format test, and state boards will be able to make their own decisions.
The exams can be held in three months under the first choice, with one month for pre-exam activities and two months for exams and results announcement. The compartment exams will be postponed for another 30 days. Exams will be held only for major subjects, and minor subject marks will be assigned based on achievement in major subjects.
The second choice involves holding 90-minute tests in 19 main subjects. Students are only required to appear in one language and three elective subjects. The results of their 5th and 6th subjects, where applicable, will be evaluated based on their success in these subjects.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress leader, reiterated on Sunday that the CBSE Class 12 exams should be canceled and chastised the government for delaying a decision on the matter for months, finding it “insensitive and unjust.”
She said that the second wave of COVID-19 demonstrated that children are vulnerable to new strains, and thus the Centre should cancel the Class 12 CBSE and ICSE board exams for this year.
The Congress general secretary said in a series of tweets that it was “insensitive and unacceptable” to ask children to wait for their Class 12 board exams wearing all kinds of safety gear for hours at a time day after day to compose their papers.
“Students studying for the CBSE 12th grade examinations have been sharing their concerns about these exams being held during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Their health and safety MATTERS,” her tweet read.
Gandhi’s remarks came ahead of a critical meeting today to deliberate on pending Class 12 board exams and corresponding entrance examinations that had been delayed due to the second wave of COVID-19.
