Maha govt decides to scrap HSC exams

MUMBAI The Maharashtra government on Wednesday decided to cancel the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations for Class 12 students. An in-principle decision was taken in the state cabinet after most ministers supported the move, considering serious concerns over the health and safety of the students. The state school education department on Wednesday moved a proposal to the state disaster management authority headed by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to take the final decision, officials said. A formal announcement is expected after the nod by the authority.

School education minister Varsha Gaikwad indicated that they are in favour of cancelling the Class 12 examinations. She said their priority is the health and safety of students and has also welcomed the Centre’s decision to cancel the CBSE Class 12 exams declared on Tuesday.

Around 1.5 million students appear for the Class 12 exams in the state every year.The state government has already decided to cancel the Class 10 (SSC) examinations due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation. It has also decided to promote the students by evaluating their performance in Class 9 and 10.

“There are 1.5 million students who will appear for examinations and they also require a large number of teaching and non-teaching staff to complete the examination process. We are not in a state to take such a big risk considering the Covid cases across Maharashtra, hence it was decided to cancel exams this year,” said a senior minister, wishing not to be named.

On Tuesday, in a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was decided the CBSE Class 12 exams would not be held this year.

Around 1.5 million students appear for HSC exams in the state every year.