PANJIM: In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic in Goa, the State government on Sunday cancelled Goa Board Class X exams, putting to rest the anxiety faced by the students and their parents.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, who also holds the education portfolio, said the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) will take a decision on Class XII Board exams within two days.
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Sawant acknowledged that the students and parents were under tremendous pressure and added that he as the Education Minister as well as the Education Department and GBHSE received many calls from parents and students about the exams and how it will affect their admission process for higher studies in various education institutes.
He said the decision to cancel the Class X exams was taken due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and based on the recommendations of the committee which comprised representatives of GBSHSE, Education Department and those from the private education sector such as educationists, teachers and management of schools.
The Chief Minister said they had consulted the Union Ministry of Education.
Earlier in the day, Sawant attended a virtual conference chaired by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wherein education ministers of all the other States participated. The meeting was held to discuss various issues related to Board and professional course examinations.
Regarding Class X students, Sawant said they will be promoted based on the assessment of their internal marks from tests that were held during the 2020-21academic year.
He said those students who fail in one or two subjects based on the aforementioned internal assessment, will be allowed to appear for ATKT examinations which would be held thereafter.
With regards to those students seeking admissions to Class XI Science courses and diploma courses, he said, “GBSHSE will conduct one-day examination, tentatively by the end of July, and the students will be informed 15 days in advance as to when this exam will be held.”
Similarly, the ITI students or private students attending night school or school dropouts, who do not have internal marks, he said, “GBSHSE will take a decision on conducting a one-day or three-day examination and the same will be announced later.”
He said the decision to be taken by GBSHSE regarding the Class XII board exams will be announced either by Tuesday or Wednesday, after taking all the factors into consideration.
He explained that this decision will be taken in consultation with the Central government given that the students have to later appear for JEE and NEET examinations.
