How viable is it to postpone upcoming board exams

Most academicians feel that any delay in the exam will further disturb the schedule of the new academic session

New Delhi November 18 dmanewsdesk: As the board examination month is approaching, contemplations and speculations are on the rise about how the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct the exams.

Contrary to the Delhi government’s suggestion to postpone the upcoming board exams, most academicians feel that any delay in the exam is not a viable option as it will further disturb the schedule of the entrance exams for the consequent courses.

“A detailed discussion was initiated between teachers, management and parents for planning a systematic academic calendar in the remote learning academic session. Classes are being conducted and planned ever since with the intention of conducting board exams timely. An extension now would lead to a disturbance in the set schedule of students and teachers,” says Pallavi Upadhyaya, principal, DPS-RNE Ghaziabad.

Should not repeat the losing pattern again
On the discussion around reducing the syllabus for the board exams, Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, founder, SAI International Education Group and Advisor says, “The course has already been reduced by 30%, any further cut down will lead to a loss of learning levels which will impact students’ higher studies.”

Instead of reducing the course, the pattern of questions and the difficulty levels could be changed so that children are able to answer conceptually, advocates Sahoo who is also a Working President of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan, Government of Odisha.

“The government has already announced a reduction in syllabus owing to the current scenario. There should not be any more reduction in the syllabus as it would create a large gap in understanding of important concepts. With no concrete update on vaccines, parents are not expected to allow their wards to return to school. Therefore, we should not repeat the pattern of losing time again by supporting the delay in board exams,” says Priyanka Barara, principal, Delhi International School.

Alternative to exam postponement
Schools can manage class X and XII board examinations separately observing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) laid by the government, says Sahoo on the methods to minimise risk. Holding exams will also reduce the number of students coming to the examination centres.

“Now that we have gotten attuned to the pandemic situation and relevant SOPs are in place to remain safe to a large extent, exams can be conducted as planned with the correct safety measures. If at all required, assessments can be internalised for the class X board exams which would be a huge relief to a lot of parents and would also reduce the burden on the examination bodies during these difficult times,” says Vedant Khaitan, Trustee at The Khaitan School, Noida

Source: Education Times