Govt to examine suggestions from state govts regarding Class XII exams

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) The Union Government will examine the suggestions received from the various state governments this week regarding the Class XIIth board exams and convey further information in this regard to the students by or before June 1.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday chaired a national consultation to discuss the conduct of Class XIIth exams and professional courses entrance exams.

The discussions were held around two themes, that is, board exams to be conducted for Class XII by the Central Board of Secondary Education and other State Boards and the All-India Entrance examinations for various higher education institutions and professional courses.

Various options regarding the methodology, process, duration and timings of the exams were discussed.

While a broad consensus was there, however, it was decided that states and UTs may like to further examine the matter and send their feedback in writing by May 25.

During the meeting, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ expressed commitment towards the safety and security of children as the first priority of the Union Government.

He said the entire country has come together to ensure the safety and academic welfare of the students and the smooth functioning of the education system.

The Union Education Minister said despite challenges posed by COVID-19, the government has left no stone unturned to successfully bring education to online mode.

He said that the homes were converted into schools.

The Minister discussed the importance of the Class XII Board exams and the All India Entrance exams in shaping the future and defining the careers of students.

The Minister said keeping in view the present circumstances, ‘We decided to cancel the CBSE Board examinations of Class X and evaluate through internal assessment but Class-XII examinations are very important to decide the future of a student’.

He said this meeting was called to enable Central and State Boards and other examination agencies to be able to examine various options available in the present challenging circumstances through a consultation process.

Mr Pokhriyal assured that the deliberations with all stakeholders in the meeting today will help in reaching a suitable decision on exams in the interest of all the students and ensuring a bright future for our children.

While summing up, the Defence Minister thanked all the participants for putting forth their positive suggestions on the proposals for conducting examinations.

He requested states and UTs to submit other suggestions, if any, to the Ministry of Education by this Tuesday that is May 25. The Ministry will consider all those suggestions and take a final decision soon, he added.

The Defence Minister reiterated that the priority of the Government is to conduct all the examinations in a safe and secure environment.

The high-level virtual meeting was arranged today by the Ministry of Education, with the Education Ministers and Administrators of all states and UTs.

‘I’m confident we will be able to arrive at an informed, collaborative decision regarding the Class 12th board exams and remove the uncertainty among student’s and parent’s minds by informing them of our final decision at the earliest,’ Mr Pokhriyal said in a tweet.

‘I want to reiterate that both students’ and teachers’ safety, security, and future are supremely important to us,’ Mr Pokhriyal said in another tweet.