TS to decide fate of Inter exams
The decision to cancel Class 12 exams came as a big respite for students across the country. Even though the criteria for assessment are not finalised students are happy that the exams have been cancelled after a massive outcry over the issue in the past few weeks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the decision to cancel the exams was taken in the interest of students, owing to the health and safety hazards due to the pandemic surge in the country.
“It is a surprise move from the government, in all honesty. Even though there was demand being raised from students across the country to cancel these exams, we did not expect that this would really happen. We are all happy and relieved,” said Pravallika, a Commerce stream student in a private school in the city.
Another student, Kritika said even though she had decided to take the year off before joining college next term, the decision had warded off the danger of being exposed to the deadly virus. “If the exams were held, it would not have been an ideal situation, considering the loss of lives probably every family across the country has witnessed in the past few months. To have us write the exams, and for the teachers to correct the papers would have been a difficult task,” she said. On whether the decision will impact studies further, educationist and principal, Meridian School, Hyderabad, Dr Usha Reddy said, “It is unlikely that this will impact studies, but concerns have to be raised on how the evaluation will take place, because online exams throughout the year have given leeway to students. Students may score good numbers now, but those who have used wrong ways to write exams could face problems going forward. Academic honesty and validation of results should be put under scrutiny”.
The TS Board of Intermediate Education (TSCHE) has not decided on how they will proceed on the postponed intermediate exams. An official in the education department on Tuesday told this correspondent that they would assess all options and present them to the government for a final decision.
Admissions to higher education institutes could also be impacted on the basis of what the state government decides. Prof. Papi Reddy, Chairman, TSCHE, said in case the state decides to cancel the exams, they will opt for entrance tests for admission to colleges this term.
The CBSE also released a statement that it will release objective criteria for assessment. Any student not satisfied with the assessment will have the option to appear in the exam when the situation is conducive.
Meanwhile, sources suggest that schools have been asked to curate marks obtained by students in the past three years, that is, in Class 9, 10 and 11, including the internal assessment for the past one year. However, an official notification in the matter is awaited.