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India’s covid-19 numbers mounted to 2,49,65,463 on 17th May 2021 with 2,81,386 fresh cases, the lowest in 27 days, while the death toll rose to 2,74,390 as 4106 more people succumbed to the disease.
On 1st May 2021, a special marking scheme was announced by the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) for Class 10 students stating that their results will be evaluated on the basis of their performance in unit test, half-yearly examinations and selection examinations conducted by the schools.
Schools across the national capital have raised concerns regarding the alternative evaluation method issued by the CBSE for Class 10 students when their board exams were canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic.
These schools termed this method as unfair. Around 400 Delhi private schools had written to the CBSE requesting it to review the marking scheme. The board, however, said the schools to keep a check on “inflation of marks” and award marks in resonance with its best performance in Class 10 in the last three academic years- 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20.
The action committee of unaided recognized private schools in Delhi on 13th May 2021 wrote to CBSE saying marking students based on school’s best performance in the last three year would be “impractical” since the number of students in a batch in different schools may differ between single digits to almost a thousand.
According to the CBSE, the “most practical” formula for evaluation has been set to compute the marks obtained by the students. “We have reports from schools wherein students scored much higher marks in online exams in comparison to how they performed when they called for offline pre-board exams. What could be the solution to the situation? CBSE has given schools the best possible solution.” said a senior CBSE official.
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on 17th May chaired a review meeting with various education secretaries of states and Union Territories to discuss the various measures to be taken to tackle the effect of covid-19 on education. Several strategies for online and offline learning were also discussed.
Class 10 was already canceled and a marking policy has been announced. A section of parents and students has been demanding the class 12 exams be canceled and a similar marking strategy be adopted.
“Our efforts and commitment ensured continuance of education for 240 million students enrolled in our schools and colleges. We have been successful in transforming our homes into classrooms in these unprecedented times. We have also set an example of ensuring that no student faced a year loss,” the Union Education Minister said.
“The Second wave has forced the education institutions to remain close for a longer period. While we have ensured that students are learning at home through various initiatives, we should focus on the needs of the aspirational districts where there is a digital gap so that we can empower the local bodies, NGOs, and the parents and teachers,” he said while calling for cooperation and a united fight against covid-19.
Several new learning methodologies and evaluation assessment models were also talked about in the meeting. “The scientific temperament of the students will play a deciding role in the post-Covid world, therefore, the education system of our country should focus on developing critical thinking ability, logical reasoning ability, and scientific temper among students,” he said.
The question still remains as to how these students are going to land jobs, passing out through online exams. Who will ensure security for these students? How will the students of 2020-21 and 2021-22 cope when the state fails to provide financial security?
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News source: Times of India, Mint, Hindustan Times
Update by Ayush Ray