Sejal Chaturvedi-
The students of the state board of Assam moved the Supreme Court in a plea seeking cancellation of state board exams for class 10th and 12th on the basis of the coronavirus pandemic.
The plea has been accepted in the Court against SEBA (Secondary Education Board of Assam) and AHSEC (Assam Higher Secondary Education Council).
The students argued that all other state board exams and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) board exams have been cancelled and this decision of the Assam state government is irrational and violative of their Right to equality enshrined under Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
The Chief Minister of Assam made statements indicating that the state would hold class 10th and 12th state board exams in mid-July or August if the positivity rate in the state came down below 2% by July 1st.
The plea sought immediate intervention by the Court on the grounds of the adverse effects and situation of panic due to such statements, on the student’s families and well-being.
Initially, the state boards had postponed their exams as of May 4th citing the pandemic.
Thus, the students, referring to the decisions of CBSE and CISCE (Council for Indian School Certificate Examination) and other state boards of cancelling the exams and adopting different mechanisms for grading, have asked for the same relief.
The health experts have reserved their comments on this issue, stating that the matter is sub judice.