Decision on Class 12 board exams in two days: Centre tells SC

New Delhi: The Centre on Monday apprised the Supreme Court that it will take a final decision within the next two days on whether to conduct class 12 board exams or not in view of the virulent second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

"Give us time till Thursday and Government will come with a final decision," Attorney General K K Venugopal, on behalf of the Centre, submitted to the bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari.

In the plea, petitioner Adv Mamta Sharma, demanded Class 12 board exams be cancelled in the current situation and marks be computed using the methodology employed last year.

"Be optimistic. Maybe by Monday, some resolution will be there. Let us have it on Monday," the top court told the petitioner.

The bench also sought to know from the AG why the assessment scheme evolved by the government last year during the pandemic could not be applicable this year as well.

In the last academic year, exams had to be cancelled midway after some of the Class 12 Board papers got over, Mr Venugopal said.

Adjourning the hearing till June 3, the bench said," the competent authority is examining all aspects of the matter and is expected to take an in-principle decision in two days."

On May 28, the top court had adjourned the plea for May 31. 

During the previous hearing conducted through video-conferencing, Justice Maheshwari observed that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is likely to take a call on this issue on June 1.

Meanwhile, the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) has asked its affiliated schools to submit an average of marks obtained by Class 12 students in Class 11 and during this session.

However, there is no clarity from the board whether the exercise hints at the possible cancellation of exams, schools have already started working to meet the June 7 deadline set by the board. (UNI)