COVID: With no clarity on board exam dates, schools conduct pre-board exams in online mode

With clarity yet on dates of board examinations next year, several schools are alrey conducting pre-board exams in online mode to ensure that students are fully prepared in time.

While Ministry of Education (MoE) is yet to take a call on dates of board exams for class 10 and 12, it has alrey clarified that exams will be in pen and paper mode only.

Schools in Delhi are restricting to online exams while those in Gurgaon, Ghaziab and ida are also planning exams in blended mode as per easing of restrictions by respective state governments.

" CBSE conducted NEET and JEE exams in 2020 during pandemic in offline mode. This strongly indicates that students of gre 10 and 12 should prepare mselves for an offline examination. We mand to conduct pre-board exams in online mode, keeping in consideration safety and security of staff and students.

"However, that amount of practice is t eugh for pupils, we are exploring opting offline mode of conducting exams as per CBSE guidelines," said Priyanka Barara, Principal, MRG School, Rohini.

According to Pallavi Uphyaya, Principal, DPS-RNE Ghaziab, school has conducted online exams for pre-boards but is also planning to hold physical exams in January.

"Amidst pandemic, we have been able to complete acemic syllabi for board classes and have conducted first pre-board examination virtually as per CBSE guidelines issued according to paper pattern.

"We have conducted virtual sessions with students and parents and have ensured a fair exam. Our system has been designed to keep exam fair for invigilator and students," she said.

Uphyaya said question papers in PDF format are shared on MS platform and students are given 3.5 hours to attempt paper.

"After attempting paper, students are directed to scan and email answer sheets to respective teachers. However, school certainly is planning to conduct second pre-boards physically at school in January," she said.

Rashmi Biswal, principal, DAV Public School, Pushpanjali Vihar, said, "Most board exams are of 80 marks so we want to give students practice of writing whole exam and to make experience simpler for m we have decided to divide each paper into two parts, so students can write and submit both parts in one day with an interval in between, or on two separate days." "We were able to successfully conduct our first set of pre -board exams in online mode around beginning of December. upcoming pre-board exams are planned in offline mode along with practical tests. We will be ensuring full safety guidelines related to distancing and hygiene, and would expect same cooperation from students and teachers as well," said Sangeeta Hajela, Principal, Delhi Public School Indirapuram.

Central Board of Secondary Education h earlier this month anunced that board exams in 2021 will be conducted in written mode and t online.

Schools across country were closed in March to contain spre of COVID-19 pandemic. y were partially reopened in some states from October 15.

However, a few states have decided to keep m closed in view of a spike in number of infections.

Board exams h to be postponed mid-way in March. y were later cancelled, and results anunced on basis of an alternative assessment scheme.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' h interacted with students live on December 10 and answered questions about various concerns regarding conduct of upcoming board exams.

He will also be interacting with teachers on December 22, following which a decision on exam schedule is expected.

Im Credits PTI