Mumbai: NIOS won’t delay exams; parents plan to seek Chief Minister's help

Parents say they are unable to find writers due to the pandemic. Representation pic

Parents, whose children are scheduled to appear for the board exams via the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) this month, plan to approach the chief minister through their local leaders with a request to postpone the examination.

"Those working on the ground here know the situation, and so, we are also approaching them [local leaders] with our issues. Our plan is to also take our concerns to the Chief Minister through the leaders," said a parent.

The move comes after they failed to get any relief despite approaching the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The India Wide Parents Association had taken up with the NCPCR the parents' concern about their children's health, lack of preparation and difficulty in finding writers amid the pandemic.

Theory exams from Jan 23
Taking cognisance of the matter, the NCPCR on Tuesday wrote to the NIOS asking to take appropriate action. However, NIOS Chairman Professor Saroj Sharma on Wednesday said all safety measures are being taken to conduct the exams, with practical assessment starting from Thursday and theoretical from January 23.

"After receiving the NCPCR letter, I spoke with the Mumbai regional head on Wednesday... If parents are unable to find writers, then they can write for their child. We would request the parents to not worry. We are very much concerned about their safety, and all precautions will be taken," Sharma told mid-day.

Little preparation time
Parents said they are worried because most children appearing for NIOS board exams have low immunity or have health problems. Moreover, the study materials arrived late, leaving very little time for preparation and the syllabus also wasn't cut back, they added.

"My son is appearing for the Std XII board exam through NIOS because he is suffering from dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). My son hasn't stepped out of the house since the lockdown. Now, he will have to go to the exam centre, among several other students," said a parent from Andheri.

"There are many students who suffer from anxiety already, and this rush would only add to their stress," said another parent from Santacruz. Geetha Sequeira, a teacher for special children, said, "When vaccination is just a few months away, why the NIOS is insisting on conducting the exams. In fact, they should consider online exams."