Class 10 boards will not be dropped: Govt

However, the School Education Department is determined to conduct Class 10 (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) board exams even if the lockdown period extended beyond May 3.

A senior official from the Directorate of School Education told DT Next that there were several requests from teachers associations and academicians to cancel the board exams for Class 10 students in the past two weeks. “However, considering the importance of conducting board exams, especially for Class 10 students, who will be deciding their future by taking up higher secondary courses, we are keen to organise the exams,” he added.

Stating that SSLC marks are vital for more than nine lakh students, who will be appearing for the exam this year, the official said the Directorate of Examinations has a detailed plan to change the exam schedule according to the situation.

“Managements of all government and government-aided schools have been instructed to get in touch with the students and confirm that exams will be conducted. “Even if the shutdown is further extended, exams will be conducted,” he added.

Stating that more than 3,800 exam centres have been identified, he said, “Hall tickets for 9.5 lakh students, who have applied to appear for exams, are ready and it could be downloaded from the Directorate of Examination’s website any time.” The official said that the only major work remaining is to sanitise all the centres.

“Transportation facilities will also be made available for the students,” he said, adding teachers, who will be deployed for invigilator duty, have instructed to report for duty.

Abou the Class 11 board exams, he said, “It will be organised parallel to the SSLC exam and students concerned would be duly informed about the schedule.”