Plus One Exams Can't Be Held Online; Many Students Lack Computers Or Mobile Phones : Kerala Govt Tells Supreme Court

Justifying the decision to hold Plus One (Class XI) exams in offline mode, the Kerala Government has told the Supreme Court that conducting the examinations in online mode will cause prejudice to a large number of students, especially those belonging to the lower strata.

The affidavit filed by APM Muhammed Hanish, Principal Secretary to the General Education Department, stated that the the conduct of examination through online mode will prejudice large number of students who have no access to laptops or desktops or even mobile phones.

"The students belonging to lower strata of the society are depending on mobile phones/tabs for attending online classes. In many areas the internet connection or mobile data are not available. These students will never be able to write online examinations which will entirely upset the conduct of examination", the affidavit stated.

"By adverting to offline method, the issue of lack of electronic gadgets to students could also be eliminated and a fair, equitable and transparent method of conducting examination could be ensured, thus eliminating chances of any complaints", the affidavit said.

The affidavit is filed in response to a petition filed by one Rasoolshan A challenging the state government's decision to hold physical exam for Plus One. On September 3, a bench led by Justice AM Khanwilkar had stayed the conduct of exams, which were to commence from September 6. The bench, also comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar, had asked if the Government has factored in the "alarming situation" in Kerala where the COVID cases are rising sharply, accounting for nearly 70% of the total active cases in the country.

The bench had observed that it found force in the petitioner's argument that the State has not taken into account the prevailing pandemic situation while taking the decision.

In the affidavit, the State Government has said that the the marks scored in Plus One exam are added to the marks scored in Plus Two (Class XII) exam to determine the eligibility for higher studies. Therefore, the conduct of Plus One exam is necessary for evaluating the students for higher studies. Since the exam is of evaluative nature, it is necessary to hold in a single stroke in the physical format, to avoid leakage of questions.

The state says that the evaluation of students cannot be done on the basis of model exams, as they were held only to help the students to familiarize with the exam pattern.

The state assured the Supreme Court that the exam will be held in strict compliance with all safety protocols for avoiding COVID infection.  It also points out that SSLC, Class 12 and entrance exams were held successfully during April-June in physical form, with lakhs of students attending.

"It is respectfully submitted that Plus one examination can also be conducted adhering to all Covid-19 protocols and strictly following the guidelines issued by the health authorities as was done in the conduct of earlier examinations. Separate arrangements could be made for those who are COVID positive or who are in quarantine and also for students who show any symptoms of COVID", the affidavit stated.

Referring to the warning issued by the National Institute of Disaster Management about the peak of third wave of COVID in October, the State stressed the need to complete the exams before that. Also, the students who failed the previous Plus Two exam need to pass both Plus One and Plus Two exams in the subjects they failed. So, if the exam is not allowed to be held as per schedule, it will affect the chances of those students to secure admissions for higher courses.

The Supreme Court will consider the matter tomorrow. The petitioner had earlier approached the Kerala High Court, which refused to interfere with the State Government's decision.

Click here to read/download the affidavit