CBSE Board Exam 2021 Date Postponed! No Practical Exams in January/ February: Education Minister confirms

KEY STORY

• Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE Board Exam 2021 postponed! Answering the question bothering lakhs of students, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has confirmed that there would be no practical examinations in January and February.

• Answering the questions, the minister clarified that at the present situation, it was not possible to conduct examinations in the months of January and February 2021. As for dates in March, he confirmed that situation is being assessed and dates would be announced soon.

• Answering queries on whether teachers would get 1 month of classroom coaching before the board exams, the minister clarified that since the exams would not be conducted in Jan – Feb, there was ample time. He also said that the dates for conducting exams from March would be discussed.

• CBSE Board Exam Dates, Practical Exams and Conducting Online Classes – Teachers ask questions

• Teachers had questions on exam dates, clarity on online teaching as well as the possibility of one month’s classes before the examinations were conducted.

• Education Minister in his live webinar answered these questions and discussed in detail the many considerations the ministry has been undertaking.

• For many teachers, the concern is information regarding the board exams. While many would want the exams to be postponed, for most it is more about having a better understanding. Teachers also suggested online examinations but Education Minister pointed that it was not possible.

• In the webinar, Education Minister highlighted how the teachers have stepped up and helped students in the time of the pandemic.

• He also pointed out that teachers even used innovative means of teaching through walls, travelling to their homes and teaching from rooftops.

• While many students were able to move to online mode of teaching, the fact that it was not a 100 per cent meant that the examination could not be conducted online.

CONCLUSION

• Meanwhile, the clarity on the exam dates has brought some respite to the teachers. “Courses are complete, schools are closed and students are waiting for exams to be postponed! There is no clarity on whether exams would be pushed to May or would it be end of March or the usual! Giving some date is very important,” points out Mrs. Rai, Principal, AIS. Reacting to the announcement of no practicals in Jan and Feb, she said that it was a wise decision as students were still not back in classes.

• Among other requests from students are the request to cancel the Class 10 board examinations. Bihar Board students have also reached out to Education Minister, seeking delay in the dates.

• With the discussion focussed on board exams, it is expected that the Pokhriyal may announce the dates or the decision on whether or not the exams would be postponed.