Class 12 exam decision by June 1; Delhi, Kerala want pupils jabbed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 23

Claiming a broad consensus had been reached among states about conducting Class 12 board exams, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ today said an “informed, collaborative” decision will be taken by June 1.

However, states like Maharashtra said at a high-level meeting on Sunday that “non-examination route” for Class 12 students should be actively examined and Delhi and Kerala governments suggested vaccinating students before the exams.

Sources said the CBSE had proposed conducting exams between July 15 and August 26 and the result to be declared in September. It also proposed two options: Conducting regular exams for 19 major subjects at notified centres or conducting shorter duration exams at respective schools where students were enrolled. Sources claimed majority states were in favour of the second option while some wanted a mix of both options.

Pokhriyal said the states had been told to send detailed suggestions on the conduct of exams by May 25. He was speaking at a national consultation on the conduct of Class 12 and professional courses’ entrance exams. The meeting today was called to enable the central and state boards and other examination agencies to explore options available before them in the present circumstances. Calling children safety the government’s priority, the Education Minister said a majority of the states favoured holding the exams and would provide feedback after studying the proposals mooted by the CBSE.

One of the suggestions is said to be a short-duration exam of 90 minutes instead of the regular three hours with objective-type questions and an option of three subjects. Various options regarding methodology, process, duration and timings of the exams were discussed.

“The CBSE Class X exams were cancelled in view of the prevailing circumstances. But the Class XII exams decide the future of a student,” the minister said.

Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the meeting was attended, among others, by Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, chief ministers, education ministers and officers associated with the education system.

CBSE puts forth two options

• Option I: Regular exams for 19 major subjects at notified centres; for minor subjects, assessment can be based on performance in major subjects
• Option II: Shorter-duration exams at schools where students are enrolled; if a student is unable to take exam due to Covid, he/she will get a second chance
• Delhi Government not in favour of either of the options explored by CBSE, says exams without vaccinating all students will prove to be a big mistake
• Maharashtra wants ‘non-examination route’ for students be actively examined
• Punjab Education Minister suggests holding exams for only 3 elective subjects