Keypoints:
- Maharashtra government tells Bombay HC that HSC exams for student’s career is more important than SSC.
- On May 20, 2021, HC had warned the state government on cancellation of 10th board exams, saying that it is making a mockery of the education system.
On Monday, May 31, the government of Maharashtra told Bombay HC that class 12th exams are more important for a student’s career than class 10th exams. SSC and HSC exams cannot be compared with each other.
Maharashtra state government, in an affidavit, stated that SSC exams were cancelled due to the spread of Covid outbreak. The state had filed this affidavit in response to a PIL filed in Bombay HC. Only after considering safety of students, teacher and stakeholders, the state government took the decision to cancel the SSC exams.
Rajendra Pawar who is the Deputy Secretary of Maharashtra School Education and Sports Department, had filed the affidavit. On May 20,2021, the HC had warned the state government on cancellation of SSC exams, saying that it is making a mockery of the education system.
The affidavit said that Maharashtra HSC exams are postponed presently. SSC and HSC both are different exams and the decision must be taken separately. This was in response to the HC’s question, which stated that why the state is holding on to its decision on HSC exams.
The affidavit further explains that, unlike 10th standard, after 12th standard the path of the students’ overall career is decided and the students of Class 12 are “more matured, independent, socially aware and bodily and mentally fit” than those in Class 10.
“The decision to cancel the 10th board exams was taken by the state government after giving primary consideration not only to the safety and welfare but also the lives of students, examiners, teaching and non-teaching staff and many others who would be involved in conducting them,” the affidavit said.
Furthermore, it said that the government has to come up with a formula on how the students should be evaluated. Maharashtra government is expected to make the decision soon on the HSC exams.
