Tribune News Service

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 22

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed petitions challenging the decisions of the CBSE and the CISCE to cancel Class XII examinations and go for separate formulae for evaluation of students, saying it's a well-informed decision taken at the highest level to protect interests of over 20 lakh students.

"We hold that there is no need to interfere with the scheme propounded by the CBSE and CISCE. It takes into account concerns of all students," said a Bench led by Justice AM Khanwilkar.

Rejecting petitions challenging the decision by the CBSE and CISCE against cancellation of Class XII board exams, the Bench also gave its final approval to the formulae proposed by the two Boards to evaluate students.

Regarding compartment and private students, it said they would be allowed to take physical examination to be conducted between August 15 and September 15, 2021.

There should be a finality regarding the status of examinations as uncertainty was affecting the psychology of students, it noted.

Attorney General KK Venugopal assured the Bench that the UGC would instruct colleges to take into account the schedule and complete the process of admission after declaration of results by all Boards.

"We find force in the submission made by the Attorney General that the scheme has been formulated by an expert body consisting of 12 members,” it said, adding that the evaluation formulae can’t be doubted on the mere apprehension of manipulation of marks by the schools to favour their own students.

The Bench rejected arguments of senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing a parents' body, that the scheme should provide an option to appear for improvisation at the initial stage itself and results of internal assessment should be declared together.

"After hearing the views of the Attorney General, we are of the view that this suggestion can't be taken forward. This would result in denial of option to students and would result in uncertainty until the examinations of improvisation are conducted and the results are declared," it said.

"Individual perception will not decide this case. A decision based on larger interest has to be taken… there are logistical issues and issues with teachers and support staff,” noted the Bench which also included Justice Maheshwari.

Ending uncertainty over the method of calculating marks/grades of Class XII students following cancellation of their examinations due to Covid-19, the top court on June 17 had accepted the formulae of the CBSE and CISCE to evaluate them and publish their results by July 31.