Nagpur: Owing to recent rise in Covid cases, Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) and parents have appealed to the CBSE for shifting all internal examinations to online mode. The association, on behalf of parents, has also written a letter to the board urging it to take an early decision in this regard.
Internal exams are conducted for classes up to Std IX and then XI.
VTA secretary Tejinder Singh Renu said, “Many parents are still reluctant to send their wards to school for physical exams. Even if the CBSE enforces offline examinations, percentage of students may not appear for the exams which is more likely to defeat the objective of examination.” The letter has been addressed to CBSE chairman Manoj Ahuja, secretary Anurag Tripathi and regional officer (Pune)Mahesh Dharmadhikari.
Renu said, “With the month of March on, the time for this academic year to end is near. The CBSE needs to take decision at the earliest so that parents and most importantly students get themselves mentally prepared for the examinations.”
A city parent, Shilpi Bagdi, said there is absolutely no need for schools to mandate offline examinations for Std IX and XI. “These are internal examinations which the school can deal at their own level. I just do not see the logic in forcing students to come to school for examinations. Students must at least be given the option of an online exam. This way whoever wishes to appear for it from the safety of their respective homes can do,” Bagdi said.
Many schools had planned their internal exams for Std IX and XI in the first week of March. But with authorities directing closure of educational institutes till at least March 7, those plans got delayed.
As per the existing rules, physical attendance in school is not mandatory.
Regarding safety protocols at schools, Renu said one cannot control what children do. “If the schools open after such a long time, students, who will be meeting their friends after a long time, may go for handshakes and hugs. This will be detrimental for them and society. Schools can’t monitor them continuously,” Renu said.