Even as the number of Covid-19 cases is on a steep rise in Maharashtra, no change has been decided yet in the state board exam schedule for classes 10 and 12.
ven as the number of Covid-19 cases is on a steep rise in Maharashtra, the state government, for now, hasn’t decided on any change in the schedule of the proposed state board exams of classes 10 and 12.
Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has said that the state has made an elaborate plan for offline exams and had provided alternatives to state board students (SSC and HSC) affected by the Covid situation to appear for special and supplementary exams as well.
“In case of Covid infection to students or family members, or the exams centre or residence falling into the Containment Zone, additional time of 15 days will be provided for submission of special assignments and Practical exams. Special exams and Supplementary exams will also be arranged in this situation,” Gaikwad said.
Supplementary exams will be arranged in the month of July-August.
Maharashtra board exam dates
Written exams for class 10 will be held between April 29 to May 20. Written exams for class 12 will be held between April 23 to May 21. Both exams will be conducted offline.
Covid-19 precautions for board exams
Prevailing state guidelines will have to be strictly followed at exam centres. The state government is planning to vaccinate staff assigned duties for the board exams.
If any student or a family member tests positive, or the house or exam centre falls in containment a zone, they can appear for the special or supplementary exams.
Students will be allotted exam centres in their respective schools and junior colleges. In case there is a shortage of classrooms, arrangements will be made in nearby schools or junior colleges.
In addition 30 minutes in exams
Every year, students are provided 3 hours for an exam of 80 marks. But since students have been out of writing practice, an additional 30 minutes will be provided. For exams of 40 or 50 marks, an additional time of 15 minutes will be provided.
Students will special abilities (Divyang) will be provided with another additional 20 mins.
Special assignments
For class 10 board exam students, instead of practical exams, there will a special assignment of 20 marks that will be done as a home assignment. These assignments will be submitted to the respective schools between May 21 and June 10.
The class 12 board practical exams will take place after the written exams between May 22 and June 10. The number of Practical will also be brought down to 5/6.
The state government however has no direct control over the CBSE and ICSE exams. However, the guidelines issued regarding Covid-19 protection will have to be adhered to. There are around 118 ICSE and 643 CBSE affiliated schools across Maharashtra.
