New Delhi, May 22
Conducting exams for only major subjects, planning them in two phases keeping in mind the COVID-19 situation in respective states or devising an internal assessment scheme—these are among the suggestions likely to be discussed at a high-level meeting on Sunday to decide the fate of pending Class 12 board examination.
The Ministry of Education has invited suggestions from various stakeholders that will be taken up at the meeting scheduled to be chaired by Union Minister Rajnath Singh.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has called a crucial meeting on Sunday to decide on pending Class 12 board exams that were postponed in view of the second wave of Covid-19, Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said.
The meeting will be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar will be in attendance.
Education ministers and secretaries of all states and union territories have been asked to attend the meeting.
According to CBSE sources, the possible options that can be explored are—conducting pen and paper mode exams for only major subjects, conducting all exams in two phases planned as per the COVID-19 situation in different states or districts, or cancelling the exams and announcing results as per an alternative assessment scheme.
A senior board official, however, said: “Nothing has been finalised yet. A final call will only be taken by the Education Ministry after considering suggestions from all stakeholders”.
Other senior Union ministers and state education ministers are expected to attend the meeting.
While a large section of students and parents have been demanding that the exams be cancelled, school principals have varied views on the possible options that can be explored.
“Under present circumstances, I visualize JEE type of online exams, through the involvement of the NTA. It would require setting up of the centres as per different locations, involving schools as self-centres or perhaps both. It would be a humongous exercise but can be at least considered for all major subjects opted for by a large number of students.
“For subjects with very few enrolments, the OTP linked delivery of paper to be printed and conducted at home Centres, is also a possibility,” said Sangeeta Hajela, Principal, DPS Indirapuram.
Rajat Goel, Director, MGR School Rohini, said, the assessment exam can be conducted online by the CBSE or the school may be allowed to plan an internal exam.
