Delhi: Parents cheer scrapping of CBSE exams

NEW DELHI: Days of uncertainty for lakhs of students finally ended on Thursday with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) stating that the pending board exams would not be held. Students would be evaluated on the basis of the last three school exams, the board added.
However, there was no clarity yet on the marking plan. When contacted, the board stated that the matter was sub judice. “The matter has been listed for Friday at 10.30am.Details will be sent out only after the board receives an order.”
From July 1 to 15, the board was to conduct exams for 29 main subjects of Classes X and XII after they were deferred due to the northeast riots and the corona crisis.
Coomar Arunodya, a parent whose son was to appear for the Class XII exam from Delhi Public School, RK Puram, said, “The cancellation of the exam was important, as safety of kids was at stake. I think students will be evaluated on the basis of average marks of the given board exams. We have to wait for what CBSE states tomorrow.” His son has just one Business Studies paper remaining.
Another parent added, “It is such a relief, but everyone has a different interpretation of the last three internal exams. Somebody has told me it will be the average of the marks students have scored in their Class XII. In that case, even pre-boards will be included and the marks will come down. Lack of clarity is adding to our stress.” Her daughter has just Computer Science paper remaining.
Teachers and principals told TOI that they were flooded with queries from students on Thursday. “There is so much confusion right now. If the board is saying last exams, I am assuming it is the pre-boards. I doubt it can be the last three subject exams a student has already appeared for. How can marks be given on this basis?” asked Tania Joshi, principal of The Indian School.
Officials at Delhi University’s admission department were also trying to get more clarity as the CBSE results determine the DU’s cutoff and the admission process. Even the students in northeast Delhi were anxious on how they will be evaluated.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s deputy chief minister and education minister, Manish Sisodia, tweeted, “Few days ago, I had written a letter to the HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal asking him to cancel the class X and XII exams and students should be promoted on the basis of internal assessment.I am glad that decision was taken today for the welfare of large number of students across the country.”
Class XII students can opt for exams to be conducted later, the CBSE told the apex court on Thursday. “The details of the same will be released later.”