While the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is likely to conduct the Class 10 and 12 board exams in March-April, a section of students have started demanding cancellation of the exams. Their demand is to cancel Term 2 of both CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 in view of the Covid-19 situation in the country.
Students also alleged that their courses are yet to be completed. However, most of the students who don’t want cancellation of the exams seem to be in dilemma as to what will happen next- Will the government cancel or postpone the exam or go for online mode?
“We have been preparing for the board exam day and night, and trying to finish the entire syllabus ahead of the exams. If the board exam is cancelled at this juncture, we will have a lot to lose,” said a Class 12 student.
“Many of our seniors failed to take admission last year due to several problems erupted following cancellation and delay in announcement of results. We don’t want to face such issue this year. We have been preparing from the very beginning eyeing the same,” said another student.
Meanwhile, experts have ruled out online mode of exam and are of the view that the exams should be conducted as per the schedule.
“In India, we can’t prefer the online mode for the board exams. The Covid-19 situation is improving in the country, and it may improve further in the coming days. Therefore, the Board should go ahead with the exams as per the schedule,” said an educationist.
“We can’t deny the fact that some educational institutions are yet to complete the syllabus, which can be attributed to the third wave of Covid-19. But, exams can’t be cancelled, it’s not in the larger interest of students. Yes, the Board may delay the exams by 15-20 days to give some more time for preparation,” he added.
Moreover, students want the Board to make some official announcement regarding the exams and also demand early declaration of the Term 1 results. “…please confirm everything regarding term 2 so we can prepare accordingly. Tell us the mode of exam or tell us you'll take it or not. We're in 12th not 10th. We've got competitions ahead of us,” wrote a Twitter user.
Another Twitterati said, “Do you know how much stress does a student have to face in these conditions? Corona, school exams, term 1 results, prep for term 2 and then term 2 exam tensions and then worries a about other exams and college and placements etc!??”