CBSE, CISCE 12th Boards: SC Asks for 'Good Reason' to Not Cancel Exams, Final Call By June 3

CBSE, CISCE 12th Exams 2021: The Supreme Court has asked the government to come up with ‘good reasons’ explaining why it wishes to deviate from the plan devised last year. Last year both CBSE and CISCE had canceled their board exams and gave marks to students on the basis of special criteria. This year, the proposals suggested by the government include holding exams for selected subjects or holding exams for all subjects but shortening the duration from three hours to 90 minutes per subject. The court, however, asked why is the government not going ahead with the plan which adopted last year after much deliberation?

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Attorney General KK Venugopal pointed that last year the board exams for some papers were held before the Covid-19 induced national lockdown made the boards cancel the remaining papers. To this, SC replied, “We don’t want to go into the nitty-gritty at this stage. You take the decision. Hope has been expressed by the petitioner that the policy adopted last year can be adopted this year too. If you are departing from that, you must have tangible reasons for it.” SC also said, “You take the decision on what should be appropriate given the situation we are in.”

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it will be announcing its final decision regarding class 12 board exams within 2-3 days. The Attorney General said in the hearing today, “The government would take final decision within next two days. We were hoping you would give us time till Thursday, and we will come back with the final decision.” The Supreme Court has given them time and scheduled the next hearing for June 3 and by then the govt is likely to announce its decision.

The government will inform the final decision on the CBSE, CISCE class 12 board exams in-person to SC on June 3, when the next hearing is scheduled. “As competent authorities are examining all aspects of the matter and are likely to take in principle decision which would be placed before the court on that date,” the Court order said.

Earlier, the Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said the final decision will be announced by June 1. The Court has not only allowed the time for govt to decide but has also asked to come up with a good reason why the government wants to make changes to last year’s notifications. Last year when boards had to cancel exams, a formula was devised to assess students without exams.

This was the second hearing of the plea seeking the cancelation of board exams. The next hearing is scheduled to be held on June 3. In its previous hearing, the court had adjourned the case, however, the bench also asked the petitioner to “stay optimistic, there may be a resolution on Monday”. Lakhs of students have been waiting for a final call from Supreme Court.

A bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari was hearing the case. Advocate Mamata Sharma is fighting the case demanding the cancelation of exams. The case began at 11 am. CBSE is considering holding exams for either selective subjects or for all subjects but for a duration of 90 minutes instead of three hours. CISCE has, however, asked schools to submit data on class 11 and class 12 internal assessment hinted at the cancelation of boards.

Even though the case is for the central boards – CBSE and CISCE – other state boards might follow the suit to maintain uniformity for students across the country. In class 10 board exams, when CBSE canceled its exams, other boards followed the same route. As of now, only Bihar Board has held board exams, and the Chhattisgarh board will be holding exams from home.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackery has asked PM Narendra Modi to adopt a single uniform policy for all students appearing for the class 12 boards across states. He wrote, “A decision for class 12 exams will be taken soon. I am requesting the Hon’ble PM for a uniform national policy for examinations like the Standard XII boards to not impact the kids’ future.”

PM Modi had asked for wider consultations before coming to a resolution. The govt had held meetings with boards, education secretaries, and even with different ministries where different options of holding class 12 exams were discussed. If the Supreme Court does not take a decision in this session, it is unlikely that the central government will be making any announcement.

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