This is so unfair, say students awaiting class improvement

After these students took the HSC exam, the lockdown was imposed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Representation pic

A day after the HSC result that brought smiles to lakhs of students; those waiting for their Class Improvement (CI) since March 2020 are saying the State Board is being unfair to them. They have questioned why they are excluded from the benefit of formula evaluation with no-exam amid the pandemic and some parents have met the education minister about this. The Board chairperson says these students' result shows pass so they cannot be included in the new evaluation method.

These students who were unhappy with their score in HSC exam held in March 2020 had applied for CI which allows them two attempts to improve their score. But soon after their exam, lockdown was imposed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. No exam was held after that. They thus lost one academic year and fear they will lose another.

"Without the exam, a specific evaluation formula was designed for board exams this year. This benefit was extended to candidates who registered as repeaters as well as those who were appearing for the exam privately. Even those candidates who were appearing only for certain subjects were considered under this evaluation method, then why only our children were left out? This is unfair," said Heather Jacinto, a parent from Kalina whose son wants to pursue aviation course and has applied for class improvement because he has not been able to secure the required 60 per cent in the first attempt.

Also read: 99.63 per cent Maharashtra board students pass HSC

Vidhi Upadhyay, a student from Borivli said, "We are going to lose an entire academic year even if they hold the exam for us now, as by the time of results, admissions process for our desired courses will be over. On the contrary, all those who failed will benefit from this formula evaluation. This is unfair."

"It is not about fees but about losing out an entire academic year again. Last year they missed a chance to take admission to a college of their choice as they did not have adequate marks. Just like other students why not use the evaluation formula for these students who are seeking class improvement? Even they will be able to pursue their higher education plans," said Bharat Upadhyay, her father. Upadhyay and other parents have met Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad over the issue and have submitted letters to the education department with their request. But according to them since the number of such students is low, the government has not paid heed to them.

‘Will hold exam soon'

Maharashtra State Board Chairperson Dinkar Patil said, "These students are seeking class improvement with a result that already shows pass. So they cannot be included in the new evaluation method. But we understand their urgency and so the focus is on to hold a repeaters exam as soon as possible, so that these students can avail their chance for class improvement."