Delhi parents irked by new exams policy

ONLY GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS EXEMPT FROM HOLDING GRADE 3 TO 8 TESTS

After the Delhi government’s decision not to hold an examination for the students from Class 3 to 8 studying in public schools, parents of the children studying in the private schools are feeling discriminated as the rule does not apply to private schools.

Parents are calling it discriminatory and have also sought online exams for Class 9 and 11. The controversy related to the examination has now reached institutions like the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

According to the Directorate of Education, Government of Delhi, students studying in classes 3 to 8 will not have to take the annual examinations. The directorate said that this decision will be applicable only to government and government-aided schools. This decision of the Delhi government is not acceptable to the millions of parents whose children study in private schools.

Parents have alleged discrimination, saying that whether government or private, all schools are closed for children studying in lower and middle classes for almost a year.

The controversy related to the examination has now reached institutions like the National Human Rights Commission.

Letter to governor

President of Delhi Parents Association Aparajita Gautam said, “We have written a letter to the governor and the chief minister. We have raised the issue that the education department has addressed the concerns of students studying in government schools while those of children in private schools have been ignored.”

Gautam said, “Till now we were appealing for online exams of class 9 and 11. The Education Department did not respond to our appeal. The department issued orders only for the children of class 8 in the government schools.

“Now, by writing a letter to the governor, chief minister, NHRC and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, an appeal has been made to conduct online exams of Class 9 and 11 in private schools of Delhi.”

At the same time, President of All India Parents Association, Ashok Aggarwal said, “We welcome the decision of the Delhi government but it needs further improvement. Due to Corona, all the students of Delhi studying in lower and middle classes have not been able to go to school. In this case, this rule should be applied to private school students also.”