Covid-19: CBSE to announce board exam schedule on December 31

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Dubai - This will affect thousands of students in the UAE who are affiliated to CBSE schools in the country.

By Nandini Sircar

Published: Sat 26 Dec 2020, 10:03 PM

CBSE will announce the examination dates for the Board exams 2021 on December 31 at 4:30 pm UAE time.

This will affect thousands of students in the UAE who are affiliated to CBSE schools in the country.

The schedule for the CBSE Board examinations 2021 till now had not been shared with students which made both pupils and their parents anxious.

Taking to social media, India’s Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank made this announcement about the exam dates on his Twitter handle today.

In a tweet he said, “Major announcements for students & parents! I will announce the date when the exams will commence for students appearing for #CBSE board exams in 2021. Stay tuned.”

On Tuesday, while interacting with teachers in a webinar, Pokriyal had announced that board examinations will not be held till February 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic and the dates will be announced after considering the situation.

He had also said that the dates will be announced much before so that the students get enough time to prepare for their examination.

The minister had then said, “The practical exams are usually held between January 1 and 15 while the exams are conducted between February 15 and mid-March. However, taking into account the present situation (the coronavirus pandemic), it is impossible to conduct the exams till the end of February. We will make a final decision on the exam dates as to when will the exams can be held after February.”

Welcoming the move, head teachers in the UAE had commended the CBSE for this decision.

Pramod Mahajan, Director- Principal of Sharjah Indian School has said, “it is certainly a good step that has been taken by CBSE. We have been in discussions with the Exam Controller and they have said all exams will happen face-to-face and students will be given sufficient time, not less than 30 working days before the exams begin. So students must keep preparing and be assured that everything will happen smoothly, there'll be no chaos and decisions will be in the best interest of the pupils.”

He adds, “students needn’t worry as things are being done thoughtfully. There will be sufficient gaps between the main subjects. The question paper will have enhanced objectivity and reduced subjectivity. 35-40 per cent of the paper will have lower difficulty levels as well.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Annie Mathew Principal of Gulf Model School says, “Given the new developments with regards to Covid-19, it would be wise to adopt a wait and watch policy and take decisions in the best interests of all, at the appropriate time.

nandini@khaleejtimes.com