Hosting a live interaction with teachers, Union Minister for Education Ramesh Pokhriyal discussed the state of CBSE exams for classes X and XII, apart from addressing the queries forwarded by teachers. The minister said that it was impossible to conduct exams until February 2021. While the exact dates are to be announced, the minister had emphasised that exams would be conducted.
Addressing the exams, the minister clarified that online exams are not possible for conducting board exams since “many schools are in the rural areas”. However, Ramesh added that the exams would be held on a reduced syllabus. “30% of the syllabus has been cut and some states have also announced the same, while others are following suit. There will also be 33% more internal choices in the exam,” he said.
Emphasising the need for exams, the minister said, “We cannot allow Covid-19 impact the students and label them as Covid-era students who cleared the classes without any examination. This is will affect them when they are out seeking jobs. We have already conducted JEE and NEET exams this year. It was a few of the biggest examinations conducted amid Covid-19 pandemic.”
In regards to JEE Mains, the minister said that they have introduced more internal choice in the exam. Out of the 90 questions in the exam, the students will only have to answer 75 of them. Students whose boards have reduced the syllabus by 30 per cent will have fewer choices, but they will not be at a loss, clarifies the minister.
