Plea in SC against CBSE decision to hold remaining board exams
A petition has been filed in Supreme Court by parents, whose ward are appearing in CBSE Board Exam to make void a notification released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on May 18, 2020 to conduct the remaining examinations of Class 12 from July 1 to July 15 amid the increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country.
The petition raises concern about the safety of lakhs of students, saying they may be exposed to COVID-19 infection if they appear for the exam.
The petition stated that – “The CBSE notification for holding of the remaining examinations and that too in the month of July, 2020 wherein as per the AIIMS data, the said COVID-19 pandemic would be at its peak, is arbitrary.”
The petition filed by parents sought a directive to the board to declare results on the basis of the marks procured in exam already held and internal assessment marks of those papers for which examinations have not been held yet.
Ensuring proper cleanliness and safety standards as prescribed by the government to deal with COVID-19 situation in the 15,000 exam centres would be a staggering task. It would not only be risking the health and lives of children but also would be a great risk to the other family members as well.
The CBSE has cancelled the examinations of Class 10 and 12 for the schools situated abroad. It has adopted the mechanism of awarding marks on the basis of either practical exams conducted or the internal assessment marks.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has also asked the education ministry and the CBSE to reconsider its decision to conduct the annual examinations in July.