CBSE board exams 2021: Class 12 examinations cancelled in view of COVID-19 pandemic
In the view of COVID-19 pandemic, CBSE Class 12 exams have been cancelled this year.
As reported by ANI, in view of uncertain conditions due to COVID-19 and feedback obtained from stakeholders, it has been decided that Class 12 Board Exams would not be held this year. CBSE to take steps to compile results of Class 12 students as per well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.
Like last year, in case some students desire to take the exams, such an option would be provided to them by CBSE, as and when the situation becomes conducive. The results will be made as per well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an important meeting regarding the prospect of Class 12 Board Examinations on Tuesday evening.
Officials gave a detailed presentation on the wide and extensive consultation held so far and views received from all stakeholders, including State governments.
The Prime Minister said that the decision on Class 12 CBSE Exams has been taken in the interest of students. He stated that COVID-19 has affected the academic calendar and the issue of Board Exams has been causing immense anxiety among students, parents and teachers, which must be put to an end.
PM said that the Covid situation is a dynamic situation across the country. While the numbers are coming down in the country and some states are managing the situation through effective micro-containment, some states have still opted for a lockdown. Students, parents and teachers are naturally worried about the health of the students in such a situation. PM said that students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation.
The Prime Minister stressed that the health and safety of our students is of utmost importance and there would be no compromise on this aspect. He said that in today’s time, such exams cannot be the reason to put our youth at risk.
PM said that all stakeholders need to show sensitivity for students. PM directed officials to ensure that the results are prepared in accordance with well-defined criteria, in a fair and time-bound manner.
Referring to the wide consultative process, PM expressed appreciation that a student friendly decision has been reached after consulting all stakeholders from across the length and breadth of India. He also thanked the States for providing feedback on this issue.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani, Petroleum, Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with senior officials including Secretary of School Education and Higher Education.
Earlier in the day, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal was admitted to AIIMS following post-COVID complications. According to AIIMS officials, Pokhriyal was brought to the hospital at 11:30 am on Tuesday morning.
On Monday, the Supreme Court has adjourned hearing of plea seeking directions to the Centre, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) to cancel the CBSE, ICSE Class XII examinations after the Central government sought time till Thursday.
The Central government told the Supreme Court that it will take a final decision on the issue of conducting or cancelling the Class 12 CBSE, ICSE Board exam in two days and sought time till Thursday to place its decision before the court.
A bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar adjourned the case to June 3 while observing a similar situation last year prompted internal marking instead.
The Bench asked the Centre to take its time to make a decision. It, however, asked the Centre to give some good and tangible reason if it decides to depart from last year’s decision when it agreed to cancel the examination due to Covid-19
