Highlights:
- The Bihar School Examination students have requested that the board exams scheduled for February be postponed, citing safety concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic
- A number of BSEB students, using hashtag such as #postpone_biharboardexam2021, asked the board to postpone the exams on Twitter
- For Class 12 students, the BSEB has scheduled board exams from 1 to 13 February, while Class 10 exams are scheduled to take place from 17 to 24 February
Thousands of students who have enrolled for the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Class 12 and Class 10 board exams have demanded that the exam be postponed, citing safety reasons and low exam preparedness due to school closures, no access to the digital class, and less time for revision.
The BSEB has scheduled board exams for Class 12 students from 1 to 13 February, while Class 10 exams are scheduled to take place from 17 to 24 February.
Bihar students claimed that the state education board played with their future only to stick to its examination calendar, referring to national education boards that adjusted their examination schedule by two to three months in an attempt to compensate for pandemic-led academic losses. Students have complained that BSEB has not reduced the syllabus, which has added to their woes, unlike other education boards.
Amit Kumar, a Class 12 student at Govt Boys Senior Secondary School, said, “In 10 months, no online classes have been held in my school.” For better preparation, most of us rely on coaching centers, but they are also closed. I doubt I’m going to pass the test.”
BSEB is doing unfairly to us because no syllabus has been reduced or additional preparation time has been provided. Compared to other board students, our performance would deteriorate in this way. Ultimately, we will struggle as low percentage for higher studies will not get us good colleges, rued 17-year-old.
Supriya Rani, another Class 12 student, said, “The Syllabus is much larger and more complex than the previous class.” Despite self-study, I cannot understand physics and mathematics subjects. I am not sure of clearing my doubts and writing papers with only 10 days left for the test.
After several students and teachers tested Covid-19 positive in Patna, Gaya and Munger earlier this month, a number of students posed concerns about safety protocols being followed in schools.
Many students of BSEB also took to Twitter using hashtag such as #postpone_biharboardexam2021 to raise their demand.
A Shastri Nagar Girls’ School teacher said when contacted, “After reopening the school, attendance is very low.” Most of them, except for a handful, are still unfamiliar with important topics. The passing percentage this year is likely to decrease.
In the meantime, BSEB officials have prepared themselves to complete the required arrangements on a scheduled basis for conducting board examinations. A senior official from Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) said, “As one student-one bench formula will be followed to retain social distance, the number of exams centers and exam halls will be increased. The senior official clarifying the stand of BSEB also added, “In each subject, the board has increased the number of optional questions to ease student difficulties.”
