Maharashtra: SSC exams cancellation raises concern over FYJC admissions

MUMBAI: School education department minister Varsha Gaikwad said that the criterion on the basis of which results will be declared for SSC students and the date of result declaration will soon be announced. On Tuesday, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education decided to cancel SSC exams. “The school education department is committed to devising a fair and accurate assessment criterion,” Gaikwad said. She also said that the department would explore the possibility of giving students the option of appearing for the exam at a later date.Public health minister Rajesh Tope said, “All ministers opined that students should be promoted as no school could open during the last academic year except for online education.”Parents across the state have welcomed the move. Anubha Sahai, member of the India Wide Parents’ Association, said, “It is a great decision by the state government. It will not only save students from anxiety, but also keep them safe in these difficult times. The boards and students can begin planning for the next academic year.” There had been a growing demand from parents groups across the country for board exams to be cancelled.Teachers are, however, apprehensive. “Even if the board has cancelled SSC exams, the guidelines for scoring students are very important. They must consult stakeholders and make the decision at the earliest,” said Anil Bornare, a teacher at Swami Muktananda School, Chembur. Most boards have not yet announced their guidelines. Another teacher raised concerns over first-year junior college (FYJC) admissions. “Unlike many parts of the country, the competition for FYJC seats is fierce in Maharashtra, especially Mumbai. So while the move to cancel SSC exams is in the interest of students, the government must plan ahead keeping in mind the admission process. All students will be marked at their respective schools and there might be no parity when they compete for college admissions,” said Shivnath Darade, a teacher.