MUMBAI: With new restrictions in force, class X and
XII students
in the state are worried about the upcoming board exams. While parents and students feel at risk travelling to exam centres, teachers have demanded they be vaccinated before being assigned supervision duty.
School education minister, Varsha Gaikwad has convened a meeting on Tuesday to discuss measures to be taken during the board exams. Asked on Monday about the possiblityof posponement of exams, Gaikwad said, "I can't say anything at this moment but, yes, a decision will be taken this week."
HSC and SSC exams are to be held from April 23 and 29 respectively. However, with the surge in Covid cases, parents are unhappy with the state's decision to hold
offline exams
.
A group has started an online petition on Change.org, demanding that the state hold exams online. "Right now, it is very risky... Schools and colleges can hold online exams," said Anubha Sahai of India Wide Parents' Association.
JM Abhayankar, former education director, said exams can be held in June. "More than one paper can be held on a day, papers can be held on holidays too and assessment done on a war-footing so results are declared on time," he said.