Delhi: Offline exams catch parents by surprise

 Hello Students

Reena Khurana, whose son studies in Class XI at a private school in east Delhi, didn’t send him to attend classes when the institution reopened on February 5. But now with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) asking schools to conduct offline examinations, she has no option but to follow the guidelines.

“I did not send my son to school because we were worried. Now, we have no options left if the schools are saying that exams will be held offline,” the mother of the science student told TOI.

Ever since the reopening of schools was announced, parents and students had been demanding holding online exams. Some parents had even complained to Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) stating that schools were forcing students to sit for physical exams.

The school that Sushil Kumar’s daughter attends is yet to issue guidelines for the exams, but he feels that online classes should continue and exams should also be held in that mode. “Till the time vaccination reaches a wider section of the population, schools should not be opened. If a child contracts the virus at school, the entire family will get affected by it,” he added.

Another parent said, “The online exams are already proctored and strictly invigilated. Continuing with the practice should not be a problem.”

CBSE, in its order, said, “For classes IX and XI, schools should take steps to identify and remedy the learning gaps and conduct examinations by strictly following the Covid-19 protocols as per examination bylaws. This exam will also help in identifying learning gaps that could be addressed in the new academic session by having bridge courses.”

Even the Delhi government had issued an order for conducting offline exams.

After the announcement was made, students flooded social media platforms with the hashtag #OnlineExamsfor9thand11th. “The schools are saying that students will not be promoted to Class X if they don’t attend school. But I think they should take the opinion from parents if they want online or offline exams for students of these classes,” said a parent.

Some schools, however, were conducting surveys to seek the opinion of parents. “We are yet to decide on the circular issued by CBSE. There is nothing certain for now,” said Tania Joshi, principal of The Indian School.

Tagore International School said it would be seeking clarification from DCPCR and CBSE over the matter. Madhulika Sen, senior advisor at the school, said, “We will be speaking to DCPCR and CBSE this week to get some clarification. It is important to conduct offline exams so that we can identify the learning gaps that need to be addressed in the new academic session.”