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OPEN HOUSE: SHOULD THE CBSE CONDUCT CLASS XII & PROFESSIONAL COURSES EXAMS AS STUDENTS CAN CONTRACT COVID

Nation’s future at risk

The youth are nation's future. If the CBSE conducts examinations it may expose youth to the virus. Besides teachers, invigilators and checkers may also fall prey to coronavirus. Everything can wait. Considering the risk factor, the board should take decision accordingly.

Garv Bhupesh, Panchkula

Take more precautions

The virus has come to stay for a while. It seems we have to live with it till it subsides or loses its strength. Sooner or later, the CBSE will have to come to terms with it. Although reports are pouring in about impending danger of the third Covid wave, the board should evolve strategies to conduct examinations while taking more precautions and exhorting students to follow these religiously as it concerns their career and lives.

Sunil Khanna, Chandigarh

Conduct exams for professional courses

In view of no respite from Covid cases across the country, student's susceptibility to new variant, warnings of third wave looming large and shortage of vaccination, the CBSE must not put students' lives at risk. All students should be promoted to next class based on their submitted assignments. However, entrance examination for professional courses should be conducted while strictly adhering to Covid appropriate behavior.

BS Dhillon, Mohali

Exams for major subjects only

The CBSE must go ahead with the Class XII examination for students without any delay. However, examinations should be conducted only for major subjects in view of the current pandemic situation. These examinations are important as it prepares students and determines their eligibility for higher studies and professional courses. The CBSE should ensure social distancing, wearing of face masks and maintenance of proper hygienic conditions and provision of safe drinking water at exam centres.

Dr Dinesh Kumar Verma, Panchkula

Online exams carry no merit

It's important that Class XII board exams and entrance tests for professional courses be conducted through offline mode. Students get admission in universities and higher education institutes on the basis of mark obtained in these exams. Online exams carry no merit. The whole education system will lose credibility if online examination mode continues.

Sikander Singh, Chandigarh

Are exams more important than life?

Covid forced the authorities to introduce online mode of studies for students. This has somewhat reduced physical interaction. It has become difficult for people with limited income to provide education to their wards. Besides, students have not been able to study due to lack of resources. Exposing students to deadly disease is foolishness. Therefore, Class XII and other entrance examinations should be cancelled as life is more important than materialistic sources of the world.

Charvi Tyagi, Chandigarh

The show must go on

The annual exams for Class XII should be held by June end while strictly following Covid protocol. Schools are closed and sufficient space is available to maintain social distancing while appearing in exams. All staff and students can get Covid negative certificate before exams. Cancellation or deferment of exams will have far reaching consequences for students in their lives. The show must go on. Political compulsions of opposing everything should be set aside.

KC Rana, Chandigarh

rule out mass gatherings

Students preparing for board and competitive examinations have been adversely affected during the pandemic. They are less focused on their studies. There is no surety about the future progression of the pandemic or whether there will be a third wave or not. Till majority of population gets vaccinated and Covid cases are minimal, mass gathering at any place should be ruled out. Experts in the field should explore alternate methods to hold Class XII examinations.

Vaibhav Garg, Zirakpur

No risk of infection during exams

The Class XII and entrance exams for professional courses should be held at the scheduled time. The plea that there is risk of infection does not hold water. With uncertainty about exams most youngsters spend time roaming with friends, driving around, watching and making videos and generally cocking a snook at Covid protocols. With the announcement of exam dates at least they will stay home and study. Of course, the authorities will have to ensure strict adherence to safety guidelines at exam centres.

Bubby Soin, Chandigarh

Life goes on

No one knows when Covid will subside. There are many risks and dangers, but the life doesn't stop. The youth have to appear in Class XII and entrance exams. All students must be vaccinated on priority before exams. Covid protocols must be strictly followed in examination halls.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Mohali

Suspense has left students in trauma

All stakeholders were dismayed to find that Union Ministers could not take much awaited decision on holding the CBSE Class XII exams. Surprisingly, they left the vital issue hanging fire. The killing suspense fueled by raging pandemic has created traumatic conditions not only for students, but their parents too. It is adversely affecting their mental well being. In these challenging times when danger of third Covid wave is lurking, it will be imprudent to wait for replies from states. The exams can either be conducted online or results compiled on the basis of pre-board exams held in February. Any delay will harm everyone.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Inoculate, provide safety kits

No doubt board exams will prepare students to crack competitive exams. But safety is utmost important. Students, who are 18 plus, must be inoculated. The examination staff must be vaccinated. The CBSE should provide safety kits to students and the staff. The board must ensure that all follow Covid guidelines strictly in examination halls.

Nitin Sud, Panchkula

Exams for all subjects

Eligible students should be vaccinated first and then allowed to appear in exams. They should be asked to appear in exams for all subjects.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Increase exam centres

Conducting Class XII exams is mandatory as it is matter of students' career. The CBSE should conduct examination of main subjects while following safety protocols. The number of exam centres should be increased so that students and staff maintain social distance. Each student and staff member on duty should wear PPE kit to avoid contracting infection.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Extra time for preparation

Students are future of the nation. The government should pay special attention towards their health. Class XII examination and entrance tests can be postponed for some more time. Coronavirus is at its peak. It can spread from places of gatherings. Students are upset due to the pandemic. The CBSE should give them extra time for preparation of their exam.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

present Situation not conducive for exams

Conducting CBSE Class XII and entrance examinations for professional courses in the present situation will pose a serious threat to students' health. It will be appropriate for the CBSE to postpone all such exams till the situation becomes normal.

Hardeep Singh Slaich, Mohali

Students’ safety first, exams later

Conducting Class XII examination will put students and teachers' life at the risk contracting infection. Already many teachers have succumbed to Covid. Students have also been infected with virus. It is not possible to follow safety norms despite best possible arrangements in examination halls. Instead of physical mode an alternative for examination can be explored. Pre-board tests or internal assessment can be considered to give marks to students for the Class XII exams. First priority should be students' safety not examination.

BS Cheema, Mohali

students’ Future depends on exams

The CBSE in a fix whether to conduct the Class XII and professional courses entrance exams or not. Keeping the current situation in mind, it seems that majority of parents will not be willing to send their wards for exams. It will be a futile exercise if the parents are not ready. Class XII exams decide student's future. Parents must understand that if their child passes without appearing in examination, it will be symbolic. How will they compete? Their future will be bleak. Reluctant parents can send their children for exams after the situation improves.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

Can govt put young lives at risk?

The country is witnessing peak of the second Covid wave. Can any civilised government afford to risk lives of the next generation? All medical experts are warning of the third Covid wave, which might affect the younger generation and infants. Students appearing in exams without any vaccination will certainly get exposed to Covid. The board should have conducted online examinations regularly. Last three years assessment of students can be taken into consideration to evaluate their results.

Suresh Verma, Chandigarh

Conduct only entrance exams

Keeping in view the present scenario the board should cancel the Class XII exams and conduct only professional courses entrance exams in August-September. Also, if the board is adamant on conducting exams, then it should be for all subjects.

Savita Kuthiala, Chandigarh

Wait till covid threat reduces

Exams play a crucial role in student's life. Keeping in mind the importance of Class XII exams, these should be held once the threat of coronavirus reduces in the country. All students must be vaccinated before exams.

Ryan Sood, Panchkula

Live today, fight tomorrow

Entrance or CBSE Class XII examinations cannot be conducted at home. Proper infrastructure and management along with appropriate Covid behaviour at examination centres can't guarantee safety of students and teachers. The government should postpone exams till situation normalises. Live today, fight tomorrow should be the sole mantra of the government and the CBSE.

Bharti, Chandigarh

Don’t keep students waiting

Class XII is a gateway to higher studies. Cancellation of Class XII exams might give a wrong message to students. It will affect students' morale. Students should be inoculated against coronavirus before beginning of the board exams. They should not be kept waiting for a long time as it is affecting their mental health.

Sonia Sood, Panchkula

Take all precautions

Experts opine that the next Covid wave might hit students. Utmost precaution must be taken to conduct offline exams. Students should be vaccinated before exams.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

Explore other options

In view of the present Covid situation, it is not advisable for the board to conduct Class XII examinations offline. Exams should either be postponed or some other options can be explored for admitting students to professional courses. Previous year result can also be considered for the present assessment.

Balbir Singh Batra, Mohali

Educationists and stakeholders divided

Educationists and stakeholders are divided on conducting Class XII and professional courses’ entrance examinations as they believe it could become a super spreader event. Others opine it will spoil students’ career as there is no option other than holding exams. Class XII exams are the gateway to higher education. The government should explore other options to protect students and enhance their career. Exams should be scheduled when infection subsides.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Difficult to decide

It's difficult to decide whether to conduct Class XII and entrance exams for professional courses physically as the country is facing the threat of pandemic. Parents are worried about their wards contracting virus if exams are held offline. Better option is online examination as it involves safety of pupils.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Life more important

Life of students is more important than the CBSE Class XII exams. It'll not be wise if the board goes ahead with examination without vaccination of students and the staff. As far as career is concerned aptitude test can be conducted by the UGC or the NTA to admit all candidates to higher courses.

PK Patpatia, Ambala

Scenario scary, unpredictable

Every parent wants his/her child to be a genius. They will never say no to examinations. But, in such an unprecedented pandemic situation everyone is going through some trauma. Infection rate is high. There is prediction of the third Covid wave, which might infect children. Keeping this in view there should not be offline exams. Life is more important. Students should be assessed on the basis of internal and online exams.

Rashmi Sharma, Chandigarh

make Covid test must

Class XII and entrance exams to professional courses should be conducted with proper Covid measures. These exams are important keeping in view admissions to colleges and foreign universities. Moreover, Covid cases are decreasing with each passing day. Covid test should be mandatory for students, who want to appear in exams.

Priyam Aggarwal, Chandigarh

Don’t buckle before protesters

A campaign has begun demanding postponement of the medical and engineering entrance exams. However, no one knows for how long pandemic will continue. Keeping qualifying examinations in abeyance is not in the interest of nearly 2.5 million enrolled candidates. The National Testing Agency has announced social distancing, more centres, fewer students per room, extra shifts for the JEE (main) computer test and staggered entry and arrival. NEET and JEE are the culmination of two years intense study by higher secondary pass outs. Never ending delays will blunt their preparedness. The government must not buckle before protesters, who want exams postponed.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Inordinate delay in taking call

The CBSE should conduct Class XII and professional entrance examinations in online mode. Inordinate delay in taking a call on conducting examination has kept students and their parents on tenterhooks. Offline examination is not possible in the present circumstances.

Adish Sood, Amloh

No substitute for Class XII exams

Most states and UTs are in favour of conducting exams of a shorter duration in offline mode. The CBSE should ask students their preference for the offline/online mode of examination. Class XII is a career defining standard. So its exams cannot be scrapped altogether. There is no substitute for the Class XII exams, which must be conducted while following all SOPs strictly.

Simran Sidhu, Chandigarh

Do not consider pre-board assessment

The CBSE must conduct exams for Class XII. Exams can be conducted in shifts on different days and in batches to reduce the risk of Covid infection. This will help bright students show their capability and knowledge. Giving certificates to all students based on the pre-board exams cannot be justified. Coronavirus guidelines must be followed strictly while conducting exams. Syllabus, pattern, exam timing and clubbing of subjects can be considered to reduce the risk.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Minhas (retd), Mohali

Promote students only on merit

Conducting the CBSE Class XII and professional courses’ entrance exams in haste will invite third Covid wave. However, the future of Class XII students is also important. Students are the future of the country. They should be promoted to higher classes or given admission in professional courses on merit and not on internal assessment.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda (retd), Chandigarh

Ripe time to conduct exams

All-round reduction is being noticed in Covid cases. The time to open up has come. In this light, the authorities should notify dates for exams giving sufficient time to students for final preparation. Students are anxious and have started fearing about their future. Psychological problems are creeping amongst students. Keeping all these facts and safety of students in mind the authorities must take an early decision on holding exams.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

Open vaccination slots for students

As Class XII decides students' career so its exams are vital. Conducting exams and neglecting health of children is not justifiable. So, the CBSE should wait for some more time till the situation normalises to some extent or the government can open slots for the vaccination of Class XII students.

Tarunjot Kaur, Chandigarh

Students are not prepared

The pandemic situation is depressing. Students are not physically, mentally and emotionally ready to appear in offline mode exams. Students' life is more important than exams. The board should either cancel or postpone exams till majority of students and teachers are vaccinated. Other option is evaluating Class XII students on the basis of internal assessments and pre-board exams. No risk should be taken. An open book system online examination can also be considered with moderation mechanism in evaluation.

Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh

No escape from exams

CBSE Class XII and professional courses’ entrance examinations are gateway to higher education. There is no escape/alternative to conducting exams. Any non-examination route would have unjust and unfair ramifications. Options on methodology, process, duration and timing of exams can best be decided by experts and stakeholders. Nature ordains that life has to go on. Man has the gumption to devise proper ways and means to safely move on. Onus for the safety of examinees lies with the government.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Consider Punjab’s proposal

Umpteen suggestions were given by state governments regarding alternatives to conduct CBSE Class XII exams. But Punjab's proposal of reduced duration exams of only few selective subjects should be considered. It is more suitable in comparison with other suggestions. As far as professional courses entrance exams are concerned, these should be cancelled and admissions in colleges should be purely on merit basis.

JS Saini, Greater Mohali

Gateway to career

Covid cases are declining. Lockdown curbs are being relaxed in most states. Class XII examination, gateway to career building in diverse fields, must be held in traditional manner after assessing the situation. In order to minimise the risk of virus transmission candidates may be allowed to appear only in half subjects selected randomly case to case by the board. Candidates should be informed about date sheet 15 days prior to conducting exams. This will help them prepare better for exams.

RPS Chopra, Chandigarh

marks obtained in Class XII hold value

Marks obtained in Class XII exams are considered by educational institutes offering professional courses. Class XII exams decide students’ career. Exam should be conducted for all subjects. Students may be allowed to appear in exams from their respective schools. Those suffering from Covid may be given a chance to appear on other dates or take online exams. Protocols should be followed at examination centres.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Students must not be in a quandary

Education is important, but health is more important. If health is lost, everything is lost. Students cannot be made to suffer due to uncertainty in the midst of an unprecedented crisis posed by the pandemic. Last year, the apex court had asked boards to declare Class XII exam results on the basis of earlier grading. Students should not be in quandary for an unspecified duration. Their exams should be cancelled.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

QUESTION

During these tough times, private hospitals are overcharging Covid patients. The UT Administration received various complaints in this regard during the peak of the pandemic. What measures should the UT take to ensure that private hospitals don’t fleece people?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]