Objective criteria to assess CBSE, ICSE Class 12 students to be decided in 2 weeks

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed CBSE and ICSE Boards to place the objective criteria to assess Class 12 students in two weeks’ time.  This after the Union government had announced the cancellation of the Class 12 Board exams for CBSE and ICSE students. 

The petitioner on Thursday sought the apex court to set July 15 as the deadline for publication of Class 12 results, so as not to jeopardise student admissions. On June 1, CBSE and ICSE Boards announced the cancellation of the Class 12 Board exams following a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The exams were cancelled in view of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. At the time, it was decided that CBSE would take steps to compile the results of Class 12 students in a “well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.” CISCE Secretary Gerry Arathoon had also said that an ‘alternative criteria’ to assess students would be announced soon, without specifying any dates. 

The petitioner, advocate Mamta Sharma, also told the court that a decision has not been taken regarding state board examinations and asked for uniformity. The court then said that the interest of students will be taken into account whether it's CBSE, ICSE or other Boards.

A petition was filed by advocate Mamta Sharma in May seeking cancellation of the Class 12 Board exams. It sought directions to the Union government, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE). The plea also sought that an objective methodology be devised to declare the Class 12 results, reports LiveLaw.