Ranchi: As the Covid-19 cases continue to rise in many states, including Jharkhand, students preparing for Class X and XII board exams are apprehensive that their plans of pursuing higher studies outside Jharkhand may be disrupted.
Kaniska Khemka, a Class XII student of Jawahar Vidya Mandir, said, “Studying in a Delhi University-affiliated college has always been my dream but now I may have to rethink my career plans if the Covid situation continues to remain this way.” She is even feeling anxious about taking physical exams for she is afraid of getting infected despite following all the Covid-control measures. “We may maintain social distancing in the examination centres but it cannot guarantee that I won’t get Covid-19 and if I test positive, it’ll put my family members at risk.”
S Dharnesh, a Class X student of Bridgeford Public School, is hoping that the pandemic is brought under control soon and they can switch back to in-person classes for despite the teachers’ and students’ best efforts, online education has its limitations. “If the pandemic is brought under control in two years, we can make up for the drawbacks and perform well in the Class XII board exam and in the competitive exams,” he said.
He, however, seemed unfazed at the thought of taking physical exams at a time when cases are at an all-time high in the second wave. He said, “Even if I get infected, I’ll recover since I am young.”
Nandini Kumari of DAV school Dhurwa, feels that CBSE should postpone the Class XII board exams by at least a month as a precautionary measure. She said, “Given the spike in cases, attending online classes or taking exams online will be challenge but that is the safest bet right now.”
The Class XII board exams are scheduled to be held from May 4.
Another board examinee named Shreesha Ganguly, however, said that she would pursue her goal of studying at Delhi University no matter how bad the Covid scenario is. “We have to pursue our career plans while battling the pandemic, which is not ending any time soon.” She added that the board examinations must be held in May for students have been preparing for it for the past several months.