Mumbai: Asked to promote Std XI pupils, colleges issue exam dates

Some junior colleges have arranged online tests for Std XI students. Representation pic

Days after the state education department issued directives to promote Std XI students, colleges have started declaring exam time-tables, leading to a lot of confusion and stress among students. While the directives do allow them to decide on the evaluation method, students are worried due to the current situation of the pandemic and they feel that they should be allowed to focus on Std XII studies now.

Earlier this month, the state education department had issued guidelines related to assessment of Std IX and Std XI students. The Government Resolution dated April 8, stated, "All students from Std IX and Std XI should be promoted. Considering the pandemic conditions, school and junior colleges at their individual level should take decisions regarding assessment of these students based on various options such as internal assessments or home tests among all." However, the guidelines seem to have created more confusion for Std XI students, as they now might have to appear for online tests.

"If we have to be promoted then why conduct online tests? We are already in April and we would rather get started with next year's studies as it will be the board examination year," shared a student requesting anonymity. Adding to this, another student said, "This is causing unnecessary stress because the decision has already been taken. Many of us were relieved after knowing the decision and had already started looking forward to beginning studies for the next academic year. And now the Std XI time-table has been issued and a test will be held online."

While some junior colleges in the city will be holding exams, some others have promoted their students, leading to more confusion. "Colleges should focus on starting lectures for Std XII. It is an important academic year," shared Manoj Jariwala, former secretary of the Maharashtra Coaching Class Owners Association.

"The state government did not issue an overall no-exam regulation, so this was bound to create confusion, as colleges are taking decisions on an individual level," shared the principal of a suburban college. Adding to this, another college principal said, "Some colleges are providing proper access to online assessment while some are not. Wherever online tests seem possible, such exams are being arranged, while others have already ended the academic year for Std XI."

‘All varsity exams to be held online'

On Thursday, Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant announced that all university exams would be held online. "Some universities were giving offline options. Considering the strict restrictions, this will not be possible. Such universities approached us for permission to hold exams online, following which the decision has been taken," said Samant.