MUMBAI: The BMC's education department has given its nod to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) and international schools to hold practical tests and board exams in Mumbai in the physical mode for class 10 and 12 from September to November. The final go-ahead will have to come from the municipal commissioner. Non-state boards like Cambridge, International Baccalaureate (IB) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) had got permission in February to conduct in-person board exams for class 10, 11 and 12. These schools held offline exams smoothly in February in the city and no student of theirs had tested positive. This time, international schools, CBSE and CISCE have sought BMC’s permission to conduct mock board exams in September and written physical exams in October-November. Francis Joseph, Director, SLN Global Network, who is coordinating with the boards, said, “Considering that schools are presently empty and students are limited in number, all Covid protocols can be adhered to.” CBSE and CISCE have decided to have two board exams. While CISCE will conduct its first semester board exams for ICSE (class 10) and ISC (class 12) in the offline mode in November, CBSE may look at holding in-person multiple choice questions exams in November-December. BMC’s education department officers recently held meetings with representatives of the boards. They have assured the BMC of compliance with all Covid-19 protocols laid down by the municipal corporation and the state. State board schools, on the other hand, have no clarity on their plans. The state had last month asked the education board to submit a roadmap for board exams for class 10 and 12 students. The state board along with CBSE and CISCE had cancelled board exams in 2020-21 due to the pandemic.
The state is, however, conducting HSC and SSC supplementary exams from next week. As fewer students have registered, it won't be difficult to allot centres, by adhering to Covid protocols. Schools in Mumbai have not reopened since last year. While giving the nod to conduct exams offline, the civic education department has clarified that no pre-primary to class 9 students can be called to schools. Legal action will be initiated against those found violating the rules
Reference: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mumbai-bmc-edu-dept-nod-to-cbse-icse-to-hold-offline-exams/articleshow/86079166.cms
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