CBSE Latest News: Central Government Decides To Scrap CBSE Board Class 12 Exams For This Year

CBSE Latest News: 

In view of the uncertain surge in the COVID case and the feedback obtained from various quarters, the Central Government has decided that Central Board of Secondary Education Class XII Board Exams would not be held this year.

It has also been decided that Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would take steps for compiling the results of class XII students as per well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.

#Breaking: The #CBSE Class 12th Board exam has been scrapped for this year. The Decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/fyBwYydFIf

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) June 1, 2021

This decision comes in the backdrop of a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, wherein union ministers, cabinet secretary, and other stakeholders were presented and discussion was held regarding the situation of Class 12 board exams and review all the possible options on the exam.

Officials gave a detailed presentation on the wide and extensive consultation held so far and views received from all stakeholders, including the State governments.

Prime Minister's observations

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi said that the decision on Class 12 CBSE Exams has been taken in the interest of students. He also stated that COVID-19 has affected the academic calendar and the issue of Board Exams has been causing immense anxiety among students, parents, and teachers, which must be put to an end.

PM further said:

"The Covid situation is a dynamic situation across the country. While the numbers are coming down in the country and some states are managing the situation through effective micro-containment, some states have still opted for a lockdown. Students, parents and teachers are naturally worried about the health of the students in such a situation. Students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation."

Further, the Prime Minister stressed that the health and safety of our students is of utmost importance and there would be no compromise on this aspect and that all stakeholders need to show sensitivity for students.

PM also directed officials to ensure that the results are prepared in accordance with well-defined criteria, in a fair and time-bound manner.

Referring to the wide consultative process, PM expressed appreciation that a student-friendly decision has been reached after consulting all stakeholders from across the length and breadth of India. He also thanked the States for providing feedback on this issue.

Importantly, it has also been decided that like last year, in case some students desire to take the exams, such an option would be provided to them by CBSE, as and when the situation becomes conducive.

Background

The Supreme Court had, on Monday (May 31) adjourned to Thursday, the plea filed for cancellation of CBSE and ICSE class XII exams, after being informed by Attorney General that government will take final decision in next two days.

Will Take A Decision On Cancellation Of CBSE/ICSE Class XII Exams In 2 Days, Tells Govt; Need Good Reasons For Departing From Last Years' Decision:Supreme Court

The Bench had observed that if the Centre decides to depart from the previous year's policy, it needs to give good reasons, as last year the decision was taken after good deliberation.

The matter was adjourned after the Attorney General appearing for the Union of India informed the court that the government would take the final decision within the next two days, and sought time till Thursday to come back with the final decision.

"We were hoping you'd give us time till Thursday, and we will come back with final decision." AG said

About the petition

The instant plea had been filed by Advocate Mamta Sharma who had sought directions for setting aside the Notification dated 14th,16th and 19th April 2021 issued by CBSE and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination only in respect of clauses dealing with the postponement of the Class XII examination

"Step Motherly, Arbitrary And Inhuman": Plea In Supreme Court Seeks Cancellation of CBSE, ICSE Class XII Exams

The plea stated that CICSE/ CBSE had already, through their circulars dated 26th June and 13th July 2020, accepted and admitted the severe situation of covid 19 and partly accepted the judgment of the Supreme Court passed last year for the present academic session of 2020-2021 in respect of class X students. This has been done by issuing the directions not to conduct their fresh final examination and adopting the criteria of declaring the result on the basis of their earlier internal grading.

However, according to the petitioner, for the innocent students of class XII, "step-motherly arbitrary, inhuman direction" have been issued to postpone their final examination for an unspecified duration instead of following the directions propounded and accepted by them last year.

The plea also argued that in view of the unprecedented health emergency and rising numbers of the Covid -19 cases in the Country, the conduct of examination, either offline/online/ blended in upcoming weeks is not possible and delay in the examination will cause irreparable loss to the students as time is the essence in taking admission in higher education courses in foreign universities.

"As per the UNESCO statistics for the year 2018 around 7.3 lakh students had opted for foreign universities to pursue higher education. Delay in the declaration of result will ultimately hamper one semester of the aspiring students as admission cannot be confirmed until the result of Class XII is declared." the plea stated.

According to the petitioner, it cannot be legitimately expected from the respondents to remain a mute spectator over the current situation and not to take a timely decision in respect of examination and declaration of result of more than 12 lakh students of class XII.

Concerned with the ongoing discussion to cancel the Class XII Board exams, a Maths teacher from Kerala had also moved the Supreme Court seeking intervention in a petition filed by Advocate Mamta Sharma for declaration of result on the basis of students' internal grading.

Supreme Court Hearing On Plea Seeking Cancellation of CBSE/ICSE CLASS XII Examination Amid COVID: LIVE UPDATES