Students' Interest Will Be Taken Into Account, Whether CBSE, ICSE Or Other Boards : Supreme Court In Plea For Exam Cancellation

During the course of hearing of plea seeking cancellation of Class XII exams, the Supreme Court on Thursday observed that interests of the entire student community will be taken into account, including the students from CBSE, ICSE or other Boards.

"Everything will be resolved , all issues we will taken into account, interests of student community will be taken into account whether its CBSE, ICSE or other Boards." the Bench orally observed.

The observation was made by a Bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari in response to petitioner Adv Mamta Sharma's submissions regarding the need of a similar decision to be taken for State Boards as well.

"It is a set case where uniform decision needs to be passed for State Boards, as more than more than 1.2 crores students belong to State Boards, and there are certain State Boards who haven't taken a decision yet." Sharma said.

The Bench responded saying that they are expecting the objective criteria which CBSE wants to devise, and once that comes on record and the petitioner has no issue in respect of that, issue of State Boards can be taken forward.

" Just have some patience, let this process be completed first as CBSE and ICSE are before us." the Bench observed.

The Bench observed that the other authorities cannot rush through the whole process and devise something which is not acceptable or which will not be fair assessment of students' performance.

"Your petition is only for 12th standard and for CBSE, now you are asking for heavens. Please don't do that. Wait for some time, don't be impatient." the Bench remarked.

The Bench added that, they know how to resolve this crisis, and whatever is required will be done.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted two weeks time to the CBSE and the ICSE to decide the objective criteria for alternate mode of assessment for Class 12 students, in lieu of the exams cancelled on account of COVID.

A vacation bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari adjourned the hearing of the PIL (Advocate Mamata Sharma vs Union of India and others), which was filed seeking cancellation of the Class 12 written exams, after two weeks.

It may be noted that a plea has been filed before the Amex Court seeking directions for cancellation of.Physical exams for Class XII of State Boards, HSC and NIOS, and constitution of a Committee to decide to the assessment. The plea filed by Child rights activist Anubha Srivastava and 7 others, has sought directions to the State Boards as well as UGC regarding cancellation of Class XII exam and a uniform formula of assessment, to meet out the hardships of the Class XII students of State Board, as were passed were passed by the Court last year.