CBSE Class 12 exams 2021: No final decision on cancellation yet, says board official

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said on Friday that it has not taken any decision yet on Class 12 board exams even as a section of students and parents have been demanding cancellation of exams in view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation. “It is clarified that no such decision (cancellation of exams) has been taken regarding Class 12 board examination, as being speculated. Any decision taken in this matter will be officially communicated to the public,” a senior CBSE official said. The official was responding to a question about possibility of cancellation of board exams following demands by section of students and parents who have expressed concern over the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The board had on 14 April announced cancellation of Class 10 exams and postponed Class 12 exams in view of surge in COVID-19 cases. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The exams, which are usually conducted in February-March every year were scheduled to be held from 4 May. “The Class 12 exams have been postponed and a review of the situation will be done after 1 June. Students will be given at least a 15-day notice before the exams are conducted,” a board official had then said. The CBSE had earlier this month announced the marking policy for class 10 board exams. According to the policy, while 20 marks for each subject will be for internal assessment as every year, 80 marks will be calculated on basis of the students’ performance in various tests or exams throughout the year. Schools across the country were closed in March last year to contain the spread of COVID-19 ahead of a nationwide lockdown. Several states started reopening the schools partially from October last year, but physical classes were again suspended because of the rise in coronavirus cases. Last year, the board exams had to be postponed mid-way in March. They were later cancelled and the results were announced based on an alternative assessment scheme. With 3.43 lakh people testing positive for coronavirus in a day, India’s COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 2,40,46,809, while the toll rose to 2,62,317 with 4,000 fresh fatalities, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Friday.