New academic session from May 1; Odisha likely to restore single exam format

The new academic session in Odisha is all set to begin from May 1, informed State School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash on Saturday.

Dash said that the summer vacation of schools will begin June 6 and continue till June 16. The schools will reopen after the vacation on June 17.

Moreover, the class 9 and 10 students will have to appear practical examination from the new academic session. Apart from this, 100 per cent syllabus will be restored in schools.

Earlier, the syllabus was reduced by 30 per cent in view of the Covid-19 situation.

“Under 5T initiative, science labs have been set up and we are planning for conduct of practical exam for Class 9 and 10 students,” said Dash.

On CBSE decision to restore the single-exam format of the pre-pandemic period from the next academic year for Class 10 and Class 12 students, Dash said steps are being taken to ensure the education is imparted on regular basis. The students will have to appear the examinations with 100 per cent syllabus.

It is pertinent to mention here that CBSE had divided the Class 10 and 12 exams into two parts- Term 1 and Term 2 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic situation and lockdowns.

Similarly, the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) had come up with an alternative assessment scheme.

“Like CBSE, we are also looking into restoring the single-exam format from the next academic year, and also Practical exams for Class 9 and 10. However, no decision has been taken yet,” Dash added.