Bhubaneswar/Delhi: COVID-wary students and parents in Odisha and across the country heaved a sigh of relief while academicians and politicians welcomed the CBSE’s decision to cancel Class X and postpone Class XI exams.
The Board exams were scheduled to begin on May 4.
“It is a good decision by the Government to cancel the CBSE Class X Board Examinations 2021, keeping in mind the best interests of the students and ensuring that their health is taken care of and at the same time their academic interests are not harmed. It is a great relief for lakhs of students who would have appeared in the exams during the pandemic. We will be waiting for the objective criterion to be developed by the Board for preparing the results of Class X,” said Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, Advisor cum Working President, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan, Govt of Odisha and Founder Mentor, SAI International Education Group.
“But yes for Class XII, June will not be a conducive month for holding exams as the students would be looking forward to their other competitive and career examinations such as NEET, BITSAT, CLAT, JEE Advanced and other University applications in India and abroad. I am looking forward to a decision which will be helpful for the students.
“An early declaration of revised schedule will reduce the stress and anxiety of both students and parents, as this decision has left the students in a dilemma and anxiety as to how to plan their way forward,” Sahoo added.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had asked for a postponement, tweeted: “I am glad that the exams have been cancelled/postponed. This is a great relief for lakhs of students and their parents.”
Kejriwal’s deputy Manish Sisodia Delhi expressed his happiness, but went a step further.
“I am happy that Class 10 exams are being cancelled and dates are being rescheduled for class 12 exams. Like Class 10 students, I appeal to the govt to promote Class 12 students on the basis of internal assessment,” Sisodia tweeted.
The Congress party thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking their advice.
“Well done Modi ji, listening to sound advice from Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt Priyanka Gandhi and the Congress party will go a long way in mending our nation. It is our democratic duty to work together for the betterment of our people. It’s good to see BJP finally put nation over ego,” the Congress tweeted.