Move to promote students doesn't go down well with Punjab teachers

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 16

First Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and now Punjab School Education Board (PSEB)! Students who were to appear for board exams will be promoted. This move has certainly not been appreciated by number of teachers and even parents.

Although most teachers spoke on condition of anonymity, some openly said exams could have been conducted by following the health guidelines. They said this would only discourage students and will reduce their enthusiasm when it comes to study.

Amid the Covid-19 surge, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday had announced that all Class V, Class VIII and Class X students would be promoted to the next class.

“Students were already not studying properly. Now, they are getting promoted. No one knows where they stand. The level of education among students is decreasing drastically,” said a teacher.

Former District Education Officer (DEO) Massa Singh, who served in the department for 30 years, said no matter what, promoting students without conducting exams was not right.

“Students studying in board classes should have appeared for exams. Conducting exams by following proper guidelines was not that difficult. With such steps, importance of education will reduce.”

Kulwinder Singh, president, Democratic Teachers’ Front, said, “No teacher is in favour of the decision. Exams can be held by practising social distancing. Even last year, exams were not held properly. Numerous parents have shown dissatisfaction saying that they don’t know where their stands and what are they up to.”

Principal of Government Senior Secondary School (Girls), Adarsh Nagar, said there were mixed reactions related to to the decision.

“On the one hand, parents are glad that it was necessary to take such a decision during the pandemic and on the other hand, students who prepared hard for exams have shown dissatisfaction,” said the Principal.

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