Ranchi: With the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announcing that it intends to hold board examinations as per the normal schedule, school principals and various parent’s bodies have urged the state government to consider allowing schools to reopen for practical classes and mock tests for the batches that will sit for the exams.
Manhohar Lal, principal of Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Ranchi, said while CBSE will be announcing the examination schedule soon, it is important for students to undergo doubt-clearing sessions, mock tests and practical training. He said, “After an assessment of their learning in mock tests, students will be able to identify their weaknesses and work on them. It is difficult to assess the extent of a student’s comprehension of subject through online classes.”
Emphasising that health of the children should remain the top priority, Lal said that under the prevailing circumstances, the schools may call the students in batches to ensure social distancing and other anti-Covid norms are followed.
Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamli, principal Samarjit Jana said the permission of the state government and the consent of parents are mandatory before they can allow examinees to return to school. “Letting schools reopen will certainly be beneficial for students appearing for their board exams. Students have been taking practical lessons on e-labs, but we have not been able to monitor their progress. Their physical presence in brick and mortar classrooms is a necessity while preparing for practical examinations.”
Meanwhile, Private School and Children Welfare Association state president Alok Dubey has also requested chief minister Hemant Soren to allow opening of schools for Class X and XII board examinees. He said the step would allow students to gear up for examinations. While terming that board examinations are important for the students’ career, he pointed out that many study-related activities are possible only in schools and examinees need regular interactions with their teachers.
President of Jharkhand Abhibhawak Sangh Ajay Rai added that while taking a decision on the issue, the government must ensure that precautionary norms will be followed on campus. He said reopening of schools in some states have led to spike in Covid cases among students, which should not happen in Jharkhand.
PSCWA had earlier advocated for reopening of schools in Jharkhand several times in the past. The government has, however, continued the suspension of educational activities due to the Coronavirus pandemic. A decision on reopening of schools in the state of Jharkhand yet remains to be taken.
On November 20, while speaking during a webinar on New Education Policy (NEP), CBSE board secretary said exact dates for the exams will be announced soon. He added that the board is making plans and will soon reveal how it will do test assessments and emphasized that there would be no escaping the board exams.
According to sources, the CBSE has already issued SOPs for conducting the practical exams. The practical exam and project evaluation work will be conducted in the respective schools and different dates will be sent to schools, stated the guidelines.
It also stated the examination will have both internal and external examiners and an observer will be appointed to supervise the practical exam, project evaluation. The respective schools need to upload marks on the link provided by the board, once the assessment is done.