Pune : Lack of clarity over SSC, HSC exams 2021 leaves fate of 30 lakh students hanging in balance

On Oct 12, 2020

Pune: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has not yet given any clarity regarding the SSC and HSC board exams. These exams are usually conducted in February and March month and tentative dates are announced in September month of previous year. This year due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the exams and results of SSC and HSC board were delayed and hence the tentative timetable of the next year’s exam has also been not declared. As a result, more than 30 lakh students and their parents are confused due to the lack of clarity over the SSC and HSC exams to be conducted in February and March 2021.

Even though the schools in the state are closed, education through online classes has been continued in most of the schools. The curriculum of class 10 and class 12 has been completed almost 60 to 70 per cent through online sessions. There are about 16 to 17 lakh students who appear for SSC board exams every year while 14 to 15 lakh students appear for HSC board exams. This includes the regular and repeater students.

The board conducts fresh exams every year in February and March and the preparation for these exams precedes by at least three to four months. The first notification about these exams is issued usually in September while the tentative schedule is announced in October itself.

The board has not yet taken any decision on the repeater examinations. Hence it is speculated that the exams usually conducted in February and March next year will also be postponed. Education experts feel that the state government should make it clear what their policy about the SSC and HSC board exams next year will be. Experts said that the government should give basic information about the options being considered and then announce the final decision in January. Even if the government decides to postpone the exams, it should make it clear to students and parents as early as possible.