By Asmita Kundu
Union minister of education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has recently hinted on the CBSE board exam schedule of 2021. He has said on Thursday that there was no compulsion regarding conducting the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams in March 2021. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, parents across the country have requested the Union ministry of education to hold the exams in May next year.
“There is no compulsion to conduct the exams in March. Keeping in view the coronavirus pandemic, the scheduled dates for the exam will be fixed. Practical exams will not be held clashing with the dates of any entrance exam," Pokhriyal said. “Students will be given ample time for preparation based on the new pattern on which the exam would be conducted.”
The education minister has also focussed on the CBSE board practical exams by saying that as these exams are held in the schools, now it is up to a school to decide whether they can let the students enter the laboratories for practicals. If the school decides that the situation is difficult to manage and conduct the practical exams, then the Central government will take further action to resolve the matter.
Meanwhile, the Central Board of Secondary Education or CBSE has also affirmed earlier this month that the dates for board exams next year have not been finalised yet. Regarding this, the board earlier stated: "No final decision has been taken regarding the dates for conduct of board exams, and consultation with stakeholders are still in process".
CBSE has stated through its latest circular: “CBSE is well aware of the condition of students and parents in the time of pandemic and, therefore, whatsoever decision would be taken by the CBSE that will only be taken after consultation with all the stakeholders and will be communicated at an appropriate time through Board website.”
Keeping the pandemic in view, the board has earlier reduced the syllabus for Class 10th and 12th as lockdown imposed by the government led to school closure across the country. Meanwhile, there are some new changes in the question paper brought by the board. There will be more application-based questions. Besides, the number of multiple-choice questions will increase as well in both Class 10 and 12 board exams.
