Plea Seeking Stay On State Board's SSC & Intermediate Examinations Amid COVID Surge: AP High Court Asks State To Respond

The Bench of Chief Justice Arup Kumar Goswami and Justice C. Praveen Kumar suo motu impleaded the Andhra Pradesh Board of Secondary Education and the Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education in the Writ Petition (PIL).

The matter before the Court

The petitioners submitted before the Court that the COVID-19 pandemic, in the current wave, had resulted in a very grim and alarming situation affecting a large number of people, requiring hospitalization in many cases and that because of the increasing number of cases, the entire healthcare system was seriously tested.

It was also submitted that number of cases were also increasing every day in the State of Andhra Pradesh and that lack of hospital beds and dearth of oxygen were being constantly highlighted in media.

In the backdrop of the aforesaid situation, it was submitted that the decision to conduct Intermediate examinations from 05^th May 2021, had the potential of severely compromising health and well-being of not only the students taking the examinations, but also of other stakeholders.

It was also stated that for the Intermediate 1^st year examinations, more than 5 lakh students would be appearing and similarly, for the Intermediate 2^nd year examinations also, more than 5 lakh students would be appearing.

It is was submitted that there was a high risk of students and others contracting the disease. And that Mental health, especially of the students, in the prevalent scenario, had also to be taken into consideration.

Accordingly, it was submitted that a direction may be issued by the Court staying the examinations.

On the other hand, the Advocate General, submitted that elaborate safety measures have been taken to conduct the examinations and taking into consideration relevant considerations, a decision was taken to conduct the examinations in question.

However, in view of the evolving situation and in the light of the submissions advanced, it was submitted by him that he would obtain instructions and place materials for consideration of this Court, on the next date fixed.

Therefore, the Court directed,

"An opportunity to the State was called for to respond to this petition and, therefore, Mr. S. Sriram, may obtain instructions and place materials before the Court by way of a memo with notice to the other side, preferably one day before the next date fixed. As the Intermediate examinations are due to commence from 05.05.2021, Registry will list this case on 03.05.2021 for a motion hearing."

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