CBSE makes it clear, Board examinations will be held as per schedule from May 4

Amid rising COVID-19 cases in India, several students of CBSE class 10 and 12 have signed petitions requesting the Central government to either cancel CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2021 or conduct them in online mode.

The hashtag "cancelboardexams2021" has been trending for the past few days after the announcement for the 10th & 12th board exam.

However,  the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it clear that students will not face any trouble in appearing for the CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2021 as all COVID-19 guidelines will be followed during the exams.

A senior CBSE official assured that the Board is making adequate arrangements to ensure the safety of students.

The official also stated that it has been decided to increase the number of exam centres by 40-50 per cent to ensure social distancing and all staff members at exam centres are being sensitised to follow COVID-19 guidelines.

On the other hand, a petition on Change.org said "The situation in India is getting worse day by day. When there were only a few cases in the country, they cancelled the remaining board exams and now when the cases are at a peak they are planning to open schools. We urge the education minister to look into this matter and cancel all examinations to be held this year as students are already under a lot of stress."

Meanwhile here are the big updates students must know about the CBSE BOARD EXAM DATESHEET FOR 2021

1  Warning against old notices

The CBSE has warned the miscreants to refrain from circulating old notices which can mislead CBSE Class 10, 12 Board students. The notices, which are viral on social media and Whatsapp, claim that CBSE would be conducting exams only for 29 main subjects from April 2020. The CBSE, however, clarified that CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2021 will start from May 4 as per the datesheet and the Board has not changed the dates for the exams so far.

2. If a candidate fails to appear in practical exams after testing COVID-19 positive

If a student fails to appear in practical exams of CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2021 after getting tested positive for Covid or any family member i.e., mother, father, brother and sister is tested positive then CBSE has directed the school to conduct the practical of such candidates at an appropriate time in consultation with the concerned Regional Office. The CBSE, however, has made it clear that the school will have to conduct practical exam latest by June 11, 2021.

3 If a candidate makes request to change the Centre of practical exams

If a CBSE Class 10, 12 students has moved to some other city/country due to coronavirus pandemic and requested CBSE to change the practical centre, then while uploading the marks of the batch of the candidate, “T” may be uploaded/posted on the link for uploading of marks against the name of such candidate.

4. CBSE warning to schools

On April 3, a statement was issued by CBSE saying that Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) and Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) have been assigned lower classes and this has resulted in dearth of qualified teachers for evaluation of practicals and assessment of CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2021 students. The CBSE said that it will view the matter seriously and has asked all its affiliated schools to update the names of all the teachers in the Online Affiliated Schools Information System OR (OASIS)

The board has also said Quality teachers in sufficient numbers are required to complete both the activities qualitatively and successfully.