A wise call, say educators

The Centre's decision of postponing CBSE Class XII exams & cancelling Class X exams will affect over 21 lakh students in the country. While the decision has been widely hailed,  students are anxious about the evaluation system that would be used to assess their performance. Let's take a look at what teachers across the city have to say:

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This is a logical and student-centred decision. The Board had taken a wise call of giving a broad time frame to conduct practicals in order to accommodate all cases like students belonging to containment zone or quarantined family or self-suffering with Covid-19, but the same would not have been possible in theory exams.

Therefore, today’s decision has brought relief in unprecedented times as such cases are on a constant rise in every school.

Monica Chawla, Principal, St Joseph's Sr Sec School, Chandigarh

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It is good that the CBSE has decided to cancel Class X Board exams and postpone Class XII Board exams, keeping in view students' and teachers' health in this corona era,. But it is high time for our country to give due respect to our teachers and have trust in them and their assessments rather than Board exams, algorithms and statistical measures. The UK and other countries have switched over to assessments made by teachers .

Gurnam Kaur Grewal, Principal GNPS 36, Chandigarh

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The decision is appropriate. It has given a big relief to lakhs of students. The parent community has welcomed this decision. But what worries me is the stress of Class XII students who have been preparing for the Boards seriously since January, 2021. They may experience the burn out with exams being further postponed.

Ritu Bali, Principal, AKSIPS 41, Chandigarh

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A wise and prudent decision. CBSE has been just and fair in stating that a standard and uniform criterion will be followed for Class X and XII students so that their future is not at stake.

Monika Sharma, Principal, Ashiana Public School, Sector 46-A , Chandigarh

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Although it would be very annoying for all those students who were practicing hard for their forthcoming exams as they all took their online classes very seriously despite so many hindrances. For them, I would like to suggest that health is the priority in the present scenario. I am hopeful that the government will come up with some good solution for the students of both the classes so that the students should not feel dispirited.

Usha Gupta, D.C. Model Senior Secondary School, Panchkula

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Class XII board examinations are very crucial as all higher studies opportunities and career choices in India and abroad are dependent on it. So the students must keep their hopes high and keep themselves healthy and hope for the best.

Class X Board exams are equally important and crucial for a students career. The “objective criterion” to be developed by the Board will be something that we need to see when it is released. It is good that it's declared, that if a candidate if not satisfied with the marks allocated to him/her on this basis, he/she will be given an opportunity to sit in an exam as and when conducted. The students have put in so much effort through out the year but it is unfortunate that they will not be able to capitalise on the same, as health and well being is more important. I urge the parents to support their wards in this crucial phase. As an institution, I believe we must now focus on addressing the learning gap that might occur.  Our teachers are committed to help the students and parents in these difficult times by providing counselling and informative sessions to clear the doubts.

Ranjeet Bedi, Director Principal, Gian Jyoti Global School, Mohali

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