While schools have reopened in Maharashtra, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai has asked schools to give the option of online exams to students from grades 1 to 8.
BMC education official Rajesh Kankal on Monday ordered the government and non-governmental schools not to force the students for offline exams and instead give them a choice, Times of India reported. With the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions, schools in Mumbai have operated in a hybrid setup. However, some parents complained that students are forced to take exams in physical mode only.
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According to media reports, the physical classes have received good response from the students and most schools registered an attendance of more than 60 percent. When it comes to exams, however, students are not in favor of the physical setup. As part of the no-fail policy, students in grades 1-8 are evaluated based on their performance in cycle tests, semester and final exams, TOI reported.
While most schools continue with online assessment for grades 1 through 8, exams for grades 9 through 12 must be administered in hybrid mode. Classes 9 to 12 fall under the purview of the State Education Department. The SSC (class 10) exams in Maharashtra will be conducted offline from next month. However, the decision was met with opposition from some students who argue that conducting physical examinations during the pandemic posed a threat to their health. Furthermore, the students also claim that because of online classes they have not received an equivalent and quality education.
After a lengthy campaign on social media, these students also led a protest march to the home of Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad of Maharashtra School last month to express their concerns. Students in grades 10 and 12 are in the eligible population for COVID-19 vaccines. The government had rolled out the vaccination for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 on January 3.
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