PM Narendra Modi will chair a crucial meeting on Class 12 board examinations today evening. PM Modi will be briefed on all possible options as a result of the extensive discussions with all states and other stakeholders, according to Government of India sources.
After the Union Government has announced that the Class 12th board exams will be conducted compulsorily, several states have started announcing either the pattern in which board exams will be held or their tentative dates. The Prime Minister this evening is expected to discuss with the states how the exams will be conducted amid the ongoing Covid pandemic.
“For minor subjects assessment can be based on performance in major subjects. This can be done if three months time period is clearly and safely available to the board. August could be a likely month for holding the exams and the whole process is likely to go on till September end,” a source told news agency PTI.
On the second option, the source said, “The exams can be conducted twice by the board depending upon the conducive situation. If a student is not able to appear due to any COVID related matter, he or she will be provided with another opportunity to sit for exams.”
“The exams will be of 90 minutes duration instead of three hours and will be conducted in same schools where students are enrolled. The questions will be objective and very short answer type. Students will have to appear in one language and three elective subjects,” the source also said.
The Supreme Court was informed on May 31 that the Centre will take a final decision within the next two days on whether to conduct Class 12th board exams amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “Give us time till Thursday and Government will come with a final decision,” Attorney General K Venugopal told a special bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari.
