Delhi CM discourages Centre from holding board exams, says 'children’s lives are important to us'

The CBSE can explore other methods, including online exams and promoting students on the basis of internal assessments, he said
Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today urged the Centre to call of the board examinations for students in classes 10 and 12. Stating that conducting the exams may lead to a large-scale spread of the novel coronavirus, Kejriwal said the Centre should consider conducting the board exams online. “Six lakh children in Delhi are going to write CBSE exams. Nearly one lakh teachers will be a part of it. These (the centres) can become major hotspots leading to large-scale spreading of corona. Children’s lives and health are very important to us. I request the Centre to cancel the CBSE exams,” he said at a press conference.

He added that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) can explore other methods, including online exams and promoting students on the basis of internal assessments.

The national capital has registered over 13,500 cases in 24 hours.

His statement comes just days after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi made a similar appeal. Priyanka had written to the education minister seeking cancellation of the CBSE Board exams, saying it will be impossible to safeguard the safety of students at crowded exam centres.

In a tweet on Monday, she said, "Come on @cbseindia29 @DrRPNishank @narendramodi do the right thing!"

Students and parents across the country are also likewise urging the central government to call off the CBSE board exams 2021 in offline mode in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases across the country recently, which will put the candidates of the exams at risk.

After several students made the #cancelboardexams2021 trend on Twitter, quite a few politicians and celebrities have stepped forward in support of the students, urging the central government to reassess the examination dates in view of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, according to officials, there are no plans to cancel or hold exams online as of now. CBSE Controller of Exams Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj has highlighted that number of exam centres has been scaled up to maintain social distancing. He added students will be permitted to change their examination centres for theory and practical exams in view of the continuing pandemic.

"We will not leave any stone unturned for the students. For students, focus on your studies, do not listen to any rumour and false pretense. You must work hard and take responsibility for performing well," Bhardwaj said.

The CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams are scheduled to begin on May 4.

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