THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
Alexandre Moniz Barbosa
Last year our children completed their last few days of the 2019-20 school year at home. There were no exams at the end of the year and they were promoted. At that time it was believed that the situation they found themselves in would be for just a few weeks, that when schools reopened for a new academic year in June, all would be normal again. As June began with no change in the situation, it was believed that schools would reopen in September, later another prediction was November, and in that month students who would answer the board exams went back to school, and by then the other students had resigned themselves to the reality of completing their classes from home. A year later, the children are still studying at home, with the likelihood of getting back to school any time soon still remote.
Over the past year, students have learnt their lessons sitting in their living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, gardens, parks, wherever the internet connectivity is best. Who would have imagined this possible exactly a year ago? Such a situation had not been visualised, but the world faced the challenges that accompanied the pandemic to forge on, and school students were among those who fought the pandemic.
Last year around this time, when the number of COVID-19 cases were far fewer in the country, the lockdown had effectively ensured that exams were postponed or cancelled and students promoted to the next class based on their academic progress of the entire year in class. The SSC and HSSC exams in Goa were later held, but not before a parent even approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa to get the exams further postponed. As the exam dates now approach, the pandemic situation is much worse than it was last year, and this has given rise to a new debate.
While Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has categorically stated that the Class X and Class XII exams in the State will be held as per schedule in April and May, at the Centre, as a sequel to a high-level review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi on examinations, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)’s Class X exams have been cancelled and Class XII exams postponed for further review on June 1, with a notice of at least 15 days to be given before the start of the examination. As the CBSE Class X exams stand cancelled, the results will be declared on the basis of the objective criterion to be developed by the board. Any candidate, not satisfied with the marks allocated to him/her on this basis, will be given an opportunity to sit in an exam as and when the conditions are conducive to hold the exams. With severe restrictions in some States, this may not be possible anytime soon.
In Goa it is different. The Class X and Class XII exams will be held, Goa Board claimed, as staff members have been properly trained to ensure the smooth conduct of the exams. So there are all standard operating procedures in place to be strictly followed, the number of students per class has been reduced, the number of exam centres and sub-centres has been increased, and even arrangements made for students to answer the exams in the event they test positive for COVID-19. That may take care of the public exams. Students, however, are not happy and are protesting and have even stood on the road with placards, seeking online exams.
But it is not just these exams at the board level that are leading to discussion in Goa, as this goes further, where the Higher Secondary Principal’s Association has urged the State government to cancel/scrap the second term/final examination of Class XI students and to assess the scholars based on their performance of first mid-term and first term examination which were conducted via the offline method. This comes after the government allowed Class XI students to answer their final examination from their homes. The principals’ association’s contention is that such an exam would involve a lot of difficulties and discrepancies. Last year too the second year/final examination had been cancelled/ scrapped, they point out.
There are yet no guidelines on how the assessment is to be done. But other than that, here is a question: how will schools ensure that students do not club together to answer the exams? This could always result in mass copying, which would be unjust to students who are sincere and dedicated. Simultaneously, it is unjust to the students to base their performance on only the mid-term exams. Some who fared not so well at that time may have been more prepared now and if the exams are not held, would stand to lose. Either way, some student is going to be adversely affected, whatever the decision of the government. But, frankly, are students even prepared for exams at the current stage of the pandemic?
This has not been an easy year for the students. The home has been the classroom for the entire year, except for students of Classes X and XII who in November went back to school as cases started dipping. Online classes, with the poor connectivity in some areas of the State, is no substitute for classroom teaching. While the focus has been on the higher classes, it has perhaps been even more difficult for the younger children who would be learning the rudimentary lessons and engaging with new concepts that only the teacher in the classroom can help them with. Besides, can you expect a child to have their attention captured by a teacher who they only see on the screen? Cartoons may capture their attention, but classes most likely will not.
A decision on the exams will have to be taken. But, going by the current situation, it is also unlikely that students will return to their schools in June this year. That is a given. Since online teaching is going to continue for at least another few months, the government should improve the connectivity in the State so that students do not face undue problems in attending classes. Exams now and online classes from June, the State has to come clear on both. The already stressed youngsters do not need to be further burdened with the uncertainity of what is in store. After a year of indecisiveness it is not fair to keep them in a similar situation again.
Alexandre Moniz Barbosa is Editor, Herald. He tweets at @monizbarbosa
