After the CBSE board issued a circular confirming that the exams of 10th and 12th standard will be conducted as per the schedule i.e. from 4th May 2021, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has written to Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank saying that its 'shocking' that the CBSE has decided to go ahead with exams despite parents expressing fears and 'apprehensions'.
Besides, students from different states have requested the board of examination to postpone the exams because of the sudden increase in the cases of coronavirus in the country. On Saturday, the signature on an online petition to cancel CBSE board exams 2021 crossed a mark of 1, 00,000.
Meanwhile, Priyanka, in her letter said, "It will be practically impossible to ensure the safety of students at large and at crowded exam centres. Additionally, given the nature and the spread of the virus, it is not just the students who will be at risk but also their teachers, invigilators and family members who are in contact with them. Aside from this, by forcing the children to sit for these exams during a raging pandemic, the Government and the CBSE board will be held responsible in the event that any of the exam centres prove to be hotspots at which large numbers of children become infected with the disease."
She said that the responsibility to protect and guide the young lies with the political leaders. As state after state issues guidelines preventing the assembly of large numbers of people in public places, what moral grounds can we stand on, while forcing young children to do exactly that.
"I do hope that the Government will engage in a dialogue with schools, students and their parents so that a safer way for them to fulfil their educational obligations can be found. Rather than forcing them into a potentially dangerous situation, it would be in the fitness of things for them to be given the support, encouragement and protection that is due to them at this very trying time." Priyanka Gandhi said.
However, reacting to petition filed in this regard, the CBSE and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) issued a joint statement that all necessary precautions will be taken and the safety of students and teachers will be assured. CBSE official said, “With Covid-19 guidelines in place, the number of exam centers across the country is increased by 40-50 percent to ensure social distancing between the students while taking the exam. The board is taking ample measure to conduct board exams 2021 amid the pandemic.”