No board exams at least till Feb ’21

No board exams at least till Feb ’21

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:  23.12.2020

The government on Tuesday ruled out the Class X and XII Board exams 2021 at least till February and said dates will be announced later after factoring in the pandemic situation in the country and consultations with stakeholders. Usually, the practical exams are conducted in January and theory exams begin every year in February and conclude in March.

The government is yet to decide on the Class X and XII 2021 Board exams schedule, while ruling out the exams in January (practical) and February in view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation on Tuesday.

Usually the practical exams are conducted in January and theory exams for the vocational courses begin every year in mid-February and conclude in March-end.

In an online interaction with teachers, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said, ““Keeping the current situation in mind, it has been decided that the board exams for classes 10 and 12 will not be conducted till February next year. CBSE is making necessary preparations for conducting the 2021 examinations. A decision on the exam schedule will be taken later after assessment of situation and more consultations with stakeholders.”

The TOI had on October 10 first reported that the Board exams of 2021 may be shifted by 45-60 days to make up for the academic losses due to the pandemic.

Moreover, assembly polls are slated to be held in four states and Puducherry during April-June next year. With no clarity on board exam dates yet, several schools have already conducted pre-board exams online to keep the students prepared. CBSE had earlier this month announced that 2021 Board exams will be conducted in written mode and not online.

Schools across the country were closed in March to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. They were partially reopened in some states from October

15. However, a few states have decided to keep them closed in view of a spike in number of infections. Most education Boards, including CBSE, CISCE, Telangana and Gujarat have also reduced their syllabus by up to 30% in view of academic losses.

The minister had an interaction with students on December 10 and answered questions about various concerns regarding the conduct of upcoming Board exams. During that interaction Pokhriyal said: “The CBSE is yet to take a decision on the dates for conducting board examinations including practicals. In case, students are not able to do practicals in classes before the examinations, alternatives will be explored.”

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