The Union government’s decision to cancel board examinations of class 12 was widely celebrated by students and other stakeholders. However, this decision also has a darker side. It has raised several questions over future prospects of the children and even diluted their year-long efforts.
Overview
After chairing an important meeting on June 1, 2021, honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced canellation of CBSE Class 12 board examinations owing to safety concerns arising due to second wave of unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic in India. Following the trend, other boards including CISCE, ICSE, RBSE, GSEB, etc. also cancelled their respective Class 12 examinations.
Negative Implications of Board exam cancellation
1. Diligent efforts of students in vain
Class 12 board examination is a prominent checkpoint in everyone’s life. It demands sincerity, hardwork and commitment from all the examinees. Aspirants push full throttle to prepare for their exams throughout the year. Some students aspire to appear in merit list for which they take extraordinary efforts.They compromise on all their hobbies just to grab an impressive marksheet. However, decision to cancel board exams meant that primary objective of students’ year-long hardwork does not get accomplishment. Therefore, this cancellation implied a massive psychological setback for students, especially for the ‘brighter lot’ who put their heart and soul in preparations.
2. Ambiguity regarding undergraduate admissions in colleges and universities
Class 12 board examinations in India hold a significant importance in context of admissions in colleges for various undergraduate courses. Cancellation of board examinations brings college officials a huge dilemma-what to adopt as a criterion for admissions now. Taking in students on basis of individually conducted entrance tests would not be a fair call. Delhi University (DU) has decided to take admissions on basis of ‘merit’. It means that DU will go by CBSE’s ‘well defined objective criteria’ through which students’ marksheet would be prepared. But will that be a fair and legitimate assessment of a candidate’s ability ?
3. Wastage of parents’ financial resources
Besides students, board examinations take a heavy toll on the lives of their parents as well. They leave no stone unturned to provide best education to their wards in the hope that they achieve academic success with flying colors. Parents educate them in top schools and coaching institutes just to give their wards an extra edge in examinations. Some parents find such expenditure pocket-friendly. However, it imposes a heavy financial burden on some parents, especially, during a phase when Indian economy is witnessing a severe recession due to COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the people saw a decline in their incomes and some even lost their jobs. Despite these adverse circumstances, parents managed to educate their children in best possible manner. Thus, it would not be a fair justice to the hope and aspirations of parents as well.
4. Credibility at stake in ‘objective marking criteria’
CBSE has decided to assess class 12 students on the basis of ‘well-defined objective criteria’. Deliberations regarding such criteria are being held by a 13 member committee constituted by the board. However, it is most likely that students would be evaluated on the basis of their performance in internals, pre-boards and previous classes. The ultimate question which arises is whether such assessment would yield a fair, unbiased and credible result of the students or not. CBSE has also mentioned that if students are not satisfied with their assessment, they can appear for the board exams to be held whenever the circumstances become conducive. But taking exams after such a long-haul shall certainly be a formidable task.
5. Deprivation of a ‘never before’ experience
Board exams are not merely an assessment of student’s academic knowledge; they are altogether a different experience. They offer crucial life lessons like time management, handling pressurizing situations effectively, maintaining balance between speed and accuracy, etc. When students achieve meritorious results through their hardwork, there is a sublime sense of accomplishment. They gain confidence in their capabilities. It prepares them to confront much more tense situations in life. Moreover, board exams lead to a holistic mental development of the examinee. Unfortunately for 2020–21 batch , such an incredible experience could not have been possible.
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