Supreme Court not to entertain challenges to CBSE Class 12 scoring scheme

The story: India's Supreme Court on 22nd June dismissed petitions challenging the formula to evaluate Class 12 students of the Central Board of Second

Supreme Court not to entertain challenges to CBSE Class 12 scoring scheme

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• The story: India's Supreme Court on 22nd June dismissed petitions challenging the formula to evaluate Class 12 students of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE). It said it was fair, reasonable and in the larger interest of students. The court also dismissed a separate challenge by students seeking cancellation of the examinations to be conducted for private or compartment students of CBSE.
• Details: In June, the Court accepted the formula after the school-leaving examinations were cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The court had said it did not want to create uncertainty for students whose careers will be held up in the event they are unable to take the optional examination.

1. A plea by the Uttar Pradesh Parents Association demanding that the choice of taking an optional exam should be provided at the outset too was rejected by the court. It felt that doing so will restrict the choice of students.
2. Under the scheme, they will still be able to take the improvement exam if they feel dissatisfied with their scores as per the assessment scheme of CBSE and ICSE.
3. The CBSE plans to conduct the optional exam between August 15 and September 15 and CISCE before September 1, subject to the Covid-19 situation.

• Do not worry about college admissions: Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre said, “The UGC (University Grants Commission) will give instructions to all colleges and professional institutes not to begin admissions till results (of optional exams that may be conducted) are declared.” A petition filed by a teacher had argued that if students can appear in professional exams why should they not be allowed to take Class 12 exams physically.
• Nature of exam: The court said that it was not possible for it to adopt a second-guess approach, and that in such matters one could not go by individual perceptions when it involves the lives of two million students. The CBSE exam is a qualifying and not competitive exam. The court rejected an application filed by three private/compartment candidates seeking cancellation of examinations being held between August 15 and September 15.
• Fairness of assessment: Government submitted that the results committees in the schools will have two senior teachers from neighbouring schools. In addition, schools will moderate marks based on their performances over the last three years. According to Centre, marks of Class 10, 11 and 12 internal assessments are recorded in registers. Possibility of manipulation will arise if schools commit forgery. 

 

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