PM Modi Cancels CBSE Class 12 Exam Across India; ICSE Class 12 Exam Also Cancelled

The Narendra Modi led government has finally voiced its decision to cancel the Class 12 CBSE board exams, amid the worsening situation of the second-wave of Covid-19 pandemic across the country.

This sets in the ‘much needed’ relief to about 14 lakh CBSE candidates registered for Class 12 board exams, along with their parents and teachers.

The announcement to cancel the board exams came late in the evening yesterday, as PM Modi broke the news through his Twitter account, insisting that the health and safety of students is of utmost importance and there would not be any step taken to compromise with this.

The news has also reportedly put an end to the anxiety faced by students, parents and teachers, with a lingering fate of the exams.

Additionally, the private board conducting ISC exams for Class 12, The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has also been reported to follow this suit.

CBSE Board Exams for Class 12 Cancelled
PM Narendra Modi, at 7:39 pm on Tuesday tweeted, “Government of India has decided to cancel the Class XII CBSE Board Exams. After extensive consultations, we have taken a decision that is student-friendly, one that safeguards the health as well as the future of our youth.”

In a press release, he was quoted stating that the decision to cancel the exams has been taken in the best interest of students.

He added that students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation and asked all stakeholders to show sensitivity towards them.

This comes after the Centre cancelled the CBSE Class 10 exams last month in April.

Govt Grants Students the Option to Give Board Exams
The board sources have stated that the Government is currently working out a set of options to come up with an alternative assessment criteria, which is expected to come out soon.

Under the options being considered for alternate assessment criteria, the authorities are working out on whether the students should be assessed on the basis of their performances in Class 9, 10 and 11 final exams, or give a certain weightage to Class 10 board results and internal assessments of Class 12. The modalities will be announced in a couple of days, states a senior CBSE official.

It has also been announced that those students who are willing to give the Class 12 board exams (CBSE), will be provided with an option to do so, whenever the possibility to hold an examination arises.

PM’s Decision Widely Appreciated by Student Unions and Opp Parties
The government’s decision on cancelling the board exams for Class 12 CBSE students met wide appreciation from not just the student bodies and parents/teachers but also from opposition parties.

Ashok Pandey, director, Ahlcon Group of Schools stated that amid the trauma undergone by children due to the threat of the virus and no vaccination for them, made it difficult for students to bring in confidence for their exams.

“This is a well-considered decision by the government and I am happy that the PM has asked for a time-bound transparent and equitable assessment plan to be implemented”, added Pandey.

Congress MLA from Delhi Mukesh Sharma, stated that the government’s decision is a victory for students. “I am happy that the uncertainty has ended.”

Student bodies like Krantikari Yuva Sangathan, Students Islamic Organisation of India and NSUI also welcomed and greeted the government’s decision.

The long anxious wait of students has come to an end with this decision of the government.