'Challenge to give marks for Class XII without internal assessment'

It has been some days since the national boards announced cancellation of Class XII exams. But the Odisha government is yet to take a call on the higher secondary exam. School and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Dash tells Minati Singha why
Why is so much time needed to make a final decision on cancelling the higher secondary exam?
The situation of state council or CHSE is different from national school boards like CBSE and ICSE. Unlike them, we don't have internal assessment system, so calculating Class XII marks will be difficult for us. Beside, due to Covid-19, all students of Class XI were promoted without appearing in the annual exam. Assessment of children was a challenge for us which is resulting in delay in taking a call on whether or not to cancel the Class XII exam.
At the meeting with the Centre, the state government was in favour of conducting the Class XII exam...
We were not in favour of conducting the exam in the meeting with the Centre, rather we asked the Centre to give us some time as Odisha was bracing for Cyclone Yaas.
Is it necessary to follow the Centre's directive or what other states are doing?
No, it is not necessary. But it is certainly important to maintain uniformity across the country as Class XII is the gateway to higher education. The admission in higher education and professional courses depends on Class XII marks.
Students are worried about the assessment. What are the possible options available for alternate assessment?
We are discussing it with experts, educationists and others on a possible criteria of assessment and we will make a decision that will be beneficial to students and they will not be disappointed.
Given that experts expressed concern over the Class X assessment adopted by the Board of Secondary Education as being unfair, can you ensure that the same will not happen with Class XII?
As I said earlier, whatever steps the government will take will be in favour of the students and for their benefit only.
There have been allegations of manipulation of Class IX marks by respective schools. Your take on that...
No such allegation has come to my notice so far. I am sure the Board of Secondary Education will ensure fairness.