Top court gives nod for SSLC exams

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

18.06.2020

Bengaluru: The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave a go-ahead for SSLC examinations in the state. The exams are slated to begin from June 25. The apex court dismissed a special leave petition (SLP) filed by Rajashree, an educationist who runs various institutions in Belagavi district.

Rajashree had sought cancellation of the examinations for the 2019-20 academic year. She had challenged the May 27 verdict of Karnataka high court, wherein a PIL seeking similar relief came to be dismissed.

Rajashree had claimed that conducting the examinations during the pandemic would put students, their parents/guardians and the staff at great health risk. According to her, the right to life and health of around 8.5 lakh minor students could be protected by promoting them based on their internal assessment marks taken by the school, as many other states have done.

However, a three-judge bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rai, Krishna Murari and S Ravindra Bhat observed that they are in agreement with the decision of the high court that the writ petition filed for cancellation of examinations did not warrant interference.

“The high court has issued directions pertaining to the steps to be taken by the government for conducting the examinations. Even the students who would not be able to take the exams have been protected,” the bench noted in its order.

The Karnataka high court had dismissed a PIL filed by M Lokesh and others after perusing the SOP related to exams. Apart from ensuring distancing at exam centres, the guidelines stated that those students who cannot write papers from June 25 can sit for another examination to be held within a couple of months and the same would be treated as their first appearance/attempt. It had directed all deputy commissioners to ensure proper travel arrangements and provide other necessary help to the students.

TIMING IS KEY: A staffer at a PU exam centre in Mangaluru