Maharashtra government cancels SSC board examination

The state decision has come as a relief to of students and their parents. Representation pic

The Maharashtra state government has cancelled the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination for 2021. This was decided in a cabinet meeting on Tuesday in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad declared that the students are to be promoted based on an alternative assessment method; details of which will be declared soon. The decision comes as a major relief for lakhs of students and their parents from across Maharashtra.

During last year's board exam, the outbreak of the pandemic had led to the cancellation of the last paper of Geography for which students were scored based on a specifically designed formula. Now with the cancellation of the entire exam, all eyes are on what method will be adopted to ensure fair scoring.

"Considering the pandemic conditions in the state, we had earlier postponed the state board examinations. It was suggested to other non-state boards to take appropriate decisions. While other boards have already taken the decision to cancel the std X exam while the std XII board exam will be held later; the state government took the same decision today in the cabinet meeting. The SSC exam is hence declared cancelled and the assessment method for it will be discussed and declared soon," said Gaikwad, through a video message. The status of the HSC (std XII) examination remains as to what was declared on April 12 - that it was postponed and tentatively will be held from late May to June.

While the decision has been received well by most stakeholders, among the academics, discussions have now begun on what will be a fair formula to score SSC students across Maharashtra.

"It is a great move by the Maharashtra government in the interest of the students considering their safety. There is much relief now that students can focus on the studies of next academic year," said Anubha Srivastava, president, Indiawide parents association.

A student from Kandivli said, "Initially our demand was to allow the exam online as we feel it is unfair to ask us to appear for a regular examination when the entire academic year has been online. Nevertheless, we are glad that the government has taken this decision. The assessment formula should be declared soon."

Pointing at the same concerns, Anil Bornare from Maharashtra Rajya Shikshak Parishad said, "It is important to know how the state board ensures fair scoring for all. The department should declare guidelines for the same."

Adding to this, Shivnath Darade from Shikshak Parishad Mumbai said, "Now that this decision has been taken, the government should clarify how it plans to ensure fair ground for all for std XI admissions."

ICSE exam also cancelled

The Council for Indian Certificate for Secondary Education (CICSE) has also announced cancellation of the ICSE exam in the wake of the rising COVID cases across the country. The Council announced the new decision to its affiliated schools late on Monday stating it was withdrawing the earlier order for ICSE (std X) exams, where students were given the option to wire their exams offline at a later date. Schools with ISC (std XII) sections are advised to begin admissions for std XI to ensure a proper start to the online academic year while the status of the ISC (std XII) examination remains the same.