Pune: Most CBSE Schools’ Principals Welcome Government’s Decision To Cancel Class 10 Board Exams And Postpone Class 12 Board Exams

Pune, 14th April 2021: Amidst the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic second wave, where the country is struggling with the highest number of cases each day and scarcity of resources to cope with it, the Union Ministry of Education has decided to postpone the CBSE class 12 exams and cancel the class 10 board exams after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

For the class 12 exam, the situation will be reviewed on June 1 and revised dates will be announced thereafter.

For CBSE class 10 students, the result will be prepared on the basis of an “objective criterion” which will be developed by the Board. Any candidate who is not satisfied with the marks allocated to him/her on this basis will be given an opportunity to sit in an exam as and when the conditions are conducive to hold the exams.

Punekar News in association with Athos Edusolutions spoke with various school principals and collected their viewpoint regarding the decision. Athos Edusolutions is a Pune based company that conducts inter-school competitive exam ‘Brainathon’ and provides career guidance to students via various activities and seminars.

“The cancellation of the Class 10 Board Exams is indeed very unfortunate, however, this act was inevitable considering the growing numbers of infections in the country and the lack of resources to support the crisis. I applaud the bold decision of CBSE taken purely in the interest of the students”, said Jayshree Venkatraman, SNBP International School, Pune.

Jyotsna Mishra, Director of Alard Public School, Pune, believes there should be an exam for 10th standard also on the lines of 12th class.
“Students have been exposed enough to the experimental learning throughout the year. It is imperative to find an effective online or offline exam pattern as they have always been aspirational for Class X exams and giving the best shot on the finale. Cancelling the exam would possibly trigger multiple complexities and legal suits when peer scores will be compared.

Any objective marking methods spanning the entire year may not be a fair way as both parents and students struggled enough to cope with a new model of learning for the first half of the academic year.

Taking a cue from the scores achieved initially or averaging them for the entire year may not be a fair process for many who could not streamline themselves initially. Similar to class XII, Govt should consider a full-fledged exam pattern even if it is late, as it is a gateway for career planning”, Mishra added.

“There is a mixed response to the cancellation of class X board examinations and postponement of class XII Board. Students of senior secondary schools may face the problem of getting admission in class XI to a new institution whereas it can be a smooth movement for students in higher secondary schools. Class XII students must understand that Health is very important under present circumstances. A delay of a few months will not have much impact on the career. Sometimes students willingly drop a year. All their peers are facing the same situation. In fact, imagine multiplication factor of 12 lac students and a lac plus staff members with respect to Covid-19. At this point in time, endeavour is to break the chain”, said Arti Sharma, Principal of Army Public School (APS), Khadki.

“Students are not only the torchbearers of an institution but also the future architects of our nation. Their professional and academic advancements are of much importance, an invaluable contribution to the nation’s resources. To ensure this, it’s our responsibility to offer them a healthy and safe learning environment. In the light of the resurgence of the epidemic, which now seems to pose an even greater threat to adolescents, the decision of the country’s leaders to cancel CBSE 10th Board and postpone the CBSE 12th Board, seems to be in need of the hour.

Our students’ safety and well being is our primary concern now. Yet, we also need to ensure that this delay does not affect the students’ enrolment to universities and colleges for advanced edification. The centre’s declaration to deduce the “results of Class Xth Board, prepared on the basis of an objective criterion to be developed by the Board” will be a welcome encouragement to all the pupils who have been working meticulously to achieve their goals.
Overall, a spontaneous and wise decision that ought to be honoured by educators in view of current scenario”, said Bharti Bhagwani, Principal of GG International School, Pimpri Chinchwad.

A mixed reaction was observed majorly as the primary focus should be the health, safety and wellbeing of our esteemed future of the country.

“Cancellation of Board Exams seems justified in the current situation but it’s a stressful time for students who are clueless about how things are going to pan out for them in terms of admissions and career prospects.

Students will feel let down because they have been preparing long and hard for the boards. Hopefully, the board will come out with the guidelines soon and give some clarity on how marks will be awarded. Hoping for the best”, said Geeta Pillai, Principal of DY Patil Dnyanshanti School.

“Courageous tough decisions taken in critical times are for the ultimate well-being and here in this situation, the health of the students is the utmost priority and keeping that as a priority the decision taken is for the welfare of students and the exams can be conducted once the situation gets under control”, said Bhavana Rai, Principal of Bharti Vidyapeeth’s English Medium School, Balewadi.

“I am in favour of the decision taken by the Government related to std 10 and Std 12 exams. Keeping in mind the present situation and safety of the students, exams must not be conducted. Students must be passed based on their internal work and results should be declared soon. As educators, we must keep in mind child psychology”, said V R Kotapati, Principal of Sardar Dastur Hoshang Boy’s High School, Camp.

“With health care crisis at its worst, I personally welcome the historic decision made by CBSE board to cancel board exams of Class X 2020-21, as prevention is better than cure. However, the students will be awarded marks based on an objective criterion. Board has also made a provision for students to appear for CBSE offline exam but only in the conductive environment”, said Swati Aru, Principal Blossoms Public School, Tathawade.

“I feel the decision to be unfortunate but the need of the hour. When the entire world is struggling to cope up with the current pandemic situation, it becomes our utmost priority to safeguard our children. I am sure CBSE will come out with a way to ensure that there is a smooth transition from 10th to 11th standard when the 10th Board exam is a crucial factor in deciding a child’s career path. Other boards in the country should also come up with a decision soon to reduce the pressure from child’s mind”, said Somyaranjan Dass, Founder-Director of Athos Edusolutions.