Education minister goes live: Pokhriyal says students will return to school soon

The minister’s live session is being held amid increasing concerns regarding the conduct of board and entrance exams in 2021

New Delhi December 9 dmanewsdesk: Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ fielding queries of students in a live interactive session with students that started at 10 am today has assured that students will return to school soon as the as the COVID-19 situation in the country is improving. Presently, 17 states have decided to reopen schools, Pokhriyal informed.

On medical and engineering students asking the Education Minister to announce JEE Main 2021 and NEET 2021 syllabus and for a postponement of the entrance exams, Pokhriyal said discussions are on to consider reduction in the syllabus in a way that those who covered the entire syllabus and students who prepared keeping 30% syllabus reduction, both the categories of students will be able to attempt the questions.

While students have suggested that the competitive exams be held four times in the year, the Education Minister said that any such decisions will be made keeping students’ interest in mind and there could be a possibility that JEE Main can be held up to four times. “There will be takat (strength) in the decisions being made,” the minister said. He also announced that there are no plans to cancel NEET 2021 as it would entail academic loss for the students. Last year, NEET exams were cancelled as many as three times but the exam was held with students being given the opportunity to change the exam centres.

On the subject of CBSE practical exams, the minister said that if students cannot go to schools for lab-related classes, it will not be possible to conduct the practical exams. “Discussions will be held in this regard,” he added.

Source:The Education Times