PUNE: Students of standard X, already weighed down by being the '
Covid-19 batch
', have spent a summer of uncertainty on every front with lockdown casting its long shadow over their education and future.
For most standard X students, the time after their board
exams
comes with a sense of achievement, an end to the lengthy season of cramming, and a well-deserved break from studies before the next long haul.
But, for this batch, as the authorities vacillated between conducting and cancelling exams, their planned future, whether it was a holiday, upskilling or getting around to thinking about a career and classes, every plan drew a blank. Clearly, the three months of lockdown has led to many misgivings.
Karan Mahajan, a standard X student from Pune, had planned to visit his maternal grandparents in Satara. He wanted to visit Mahabaleshwar, and enjoy the summer holidays, and finally work on his plan to choose subjects.
“I wanted to meet my friends, roam, play cricket and video games, and plan my studies, but the pandemic ruined all my plans. Now, considering the class XI and class XII preparations, I think it will be just another busy academic year,” he said.
By June all standard X students get their results, and in July they go on a college hunt, select their subjects and coaching classes.
Karan’s father Nilesh Mahajan said students may have a hard time adjusting to the upcoming academic year, considering that they have spent most of their time either watching TV or playing on cellphone.
“There were no friends, no meets, no extra classes. I wanted my son to gain new skills, but health was the first priority. My friends from other cities are not going to send their wards to Pune or other metro cities. They prefer a lost year but won’t compromise on safety,” he said.
C V Madhavi, principal of DAV Public School Aundh, said standard X students are one of the most significant victims of the pandemic.
“Online sessions are happening for other students. Parents have bought textbooks and some study is happening. Till the standard X results are not declared, they are in a state of flux. Many will change their boards, but don’t know whether they will get admission and hence cannot buy study material,” Madhavi said.
Standard XI
is among the toughest classes as the syllabus is new and if they have changed streams, the difficulty level is higher.
“It is when competitive examination preparations start, but everything is on hold now and hence the burden will be higher when the academic session begins,” she added.
Some class X students and teachers of
the Maharashtra State Board
said the decision to award average marks in other subjects to the cancelled geography exam is unfair.
“Instead of awarding average marks out of 560 for the 40 mark geography exam, state board should have calculated the result out of 560 marks for which all exams were conducted. Some parents may move court after the results, delaying the admission process,” Prashant Redij, secretary of Mumbai Principals Association, said.
Unlike earlier, parents are afraid to send their kids to education hubs like Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru or
Kota
for studies.
Education consultant Brinda Sahota said public exams stress out students and the pandemic may stop students from coming to cities for competitive examination coaching.
“Parents do not want to send their children to school till September. There is very little chance that they will send them to Pune or Kota for class XI-XII combined coaching for entrance exams,” Sahota added.
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