New day brings new questions: Maharashtra batted for no exams in meeting with Centre

This year saw students and parents protesting against both SSC and HSC exams amid the pandemic. File pic

The state government on Wednesday paved the way for the cancellation of HSC exams through its recommendation to the Disaster Management Committee. However, the woes of students and parents do not end here as all stakeholders are now staring at a new bunch of questions. With no exams for CBSE, ICSE and now state board, how will the students be evaluated? Further, how will admissions to degree courses take place? While the cancellation has been commended, stakeholders have stressed that further processes must be fair.

Board students during a protest against exams in March. File pic

In a major relief for students of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and their worried parents, the Maharashtra State Education Department recommended cancelling the examination considering the Covid-19 pandemic. While a final approval is yet to come from the Disaster Management Committee, the decision is clear for all stakeholders as School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad again promoted the no-exam policy on Wednesday.

Also Read: Std XII exam: Maharashtra set to follow CBSE route

The state cabinet approved Gaikwad's proposal to scrap the exam and it was decided to send the recommendation to the State Disaster Management Department that is empowered to review the situation and take final calls. This is because the National Disaster Act, 2005, and The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, are in force across the country. Also, since the high court is hearing cases related to HSC examinations, the government wants to be strong legally.

"When the education ministers had a meeting with the union government, we told them that we wanted the HSC exams scrapped in view of the students' wellbeing amid the pandemic," said Gaikwad after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

The HSC exam, which was initially scheduled to begin on April 23 was postponed to the end of May, considering the pandemic. However, considering that the situation hasn't changed much, discussions began across the nation to take a decision on Std XII boards. In this effort, a meeting was held by the union education minister with education ministers from all states and Gaikwad had insisted on a no-exam policy. "After the Centre took the decision to cancel the Std XII board exam, we too have presented the case in front of the Maharashtra State cabinet today following which, the file is moved to the Disaster Management Committee. Other than the Centre, the department has also presented ways adopted by other states regarding HSC exams," said Gaikwad.

Last Sunday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had insisted that the Centre have a uniform national policy for students who would not be giving the HSC exams because of cancellation. He said the students' academic future depended on HSC results as students from various boards vie for the top courses across the country.

In a first-ever instance, there will be no board examinations this year as the Secondary School Certificate exam, too, was cancelled last month. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the cancellation of Std XII exams on Tuesday evening which was followed immediately by the Indian Certificate of School Education (ICSE) making a similar announcement. All eyes were set on the Maharashtra State Board. Gaikwad had hinted at a cancellation on Tuesday while reacting to CBSE's decision.

April 23
Earlier date for HSC exam commencement