Page 14 - EW June 2021 Low Res

Education News

DELHI for 2020-21 has been cancelled, its
Exam cancellation conundrum utility is becoming apparent with

every passing day. Hitherto average
scores in these exams determined
entry into undergrad colleges. The
higher a student’s average, the easier
to secure admission into a college
and study programme of choice.
Now the big question is that with
this exam cancelled, on what basis
will top-ranked among the coun-
try’s 39,931 undergrad colleges, in
which demand for seats far exceeds
supply, admit the most meritorious
students?
This conundrum has become
a subject of intense debate within
government, the academy, media,
parents and student communities.
Among the suggestions: schools to
conduct the class XII exam internally
Prime minister Narendra Modi: student-friendly decision and award scores to their students;
schools to aggregate final internal
nding months of nationwide student-friendly, one that safeguards exam averages of classes IX, X and
tension and anxiety, the the health as well as future of our XI and submit to CBSE for certifica-
EDelhi-based Central Board of youth,” said Modi in a tweet message tion; CBSE to conduct online exams.
Secondary Education (CBSE) — the to the country. However, exam boards accepting
country’s largest national Central The same day, CISCE followed scores in internal exams has raised
government controlled school- suit and announced cancellation of fears of grades inflation, and online
leaving examination board which its class XII ISC exam. Since then, exams have raised questions relating
has 21,271 schools affiliated with most of the 31 state government to the digital divide with large num-
it — cancelled its class XII exam for boards have — and/or are expected bers of student households lacking
the academic year 2020-21. Council to — cancelled their school-leaving digital connectivity. Therefore, there
for the Indian School Certificate class XII examinations. Meanwhile, is widespread fear of college admis-
Examinations (the other national the Chhattisgarh state board com- sion processes denying entry to the
school-leaving exams board with menced its class XII public exam most meritorious school-leavers.
2,300 affiliated schools) and several on June 1 following adoption of the “Traditionally students who aver-
state boards have followed suit and open book system. age highest scores in class XII exams
cancelled their class XII board ex- The majority of 10.4 million class are those that put in extraordinary
aminations. XII students across the country effort to prepare for this final board
Following a meeting on June 1 forced to learn online as best they exam. If three years averages are the
chaired by prime minister Nar- could because all pre-primaries and criterion for college admission, these
endra Modi during which he was 1.50 million schools countrywide students will be at a disadvantage.
briefed on all possible options by have been closed to prevent children Therefore a careful system which
Union education ministry and CBSE becoming Covid positive, have wel- includes an online interview or exam
officials, the prime minister an- comed this decision. In the last week conducted by colleges needs to be de-
nounced cancellation of CBSE’s class of May, a nationwide poll conducted vised,” says Charu Wahi, principal
XII examinations. A notable absen- by the Youth Bar Association of In- of the CBSE-affiliated Nirmal Bhartia
tee at this meet was Union educa- dia, which filed a public interest writ School, Delhi.
tion minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, petition in the Supreme Court for an Meanwhile, CBSE and govern-
reportedly hospitalised because of order directing cancellation of class ment spokespersons express confi-
complications arising from hav- XII exams, found that 93 percent of dence that a “fair and transparent”
ing contracted the dreaded virus in 80,000 youth interviewed favoured assessment system will be devised
April. “After extensive consultations, cancellation of the exam. to ensure that college admissions
we have taken a decision that is But although the class XII exam are based on merit. Moreover, they

14 EDUCATIONWORLD JUNE 2021