“As India eased restrictions after four phases of the coronavirus lock-down, there was a huge debate about conducting examinations at various levels. From school board examinations to final-year higher education exams to entrance tests, there were many discussions on whether it is safe to go ahead with them.
While some started celebrating that in some parts of the country, exams have been postponed indefinitely ; others called upon authorities to cancel their exam, saying ‘students lives matter’, and argued that although the lock-down has been lifted, the number of coronavirus cases hasn’t gone down.
Indeed, exams and their management underwent a metamorphosis in 2020,“opines Hirav Shah whose answers have proven to be game-changers in the field of Education.
Analysis
As Jan 2021 started, the number of people infected with the coronavirus is about to reach one crore, with more than 1.4 lakh deaths and over four lakh active cases. Despite that, schools, colleges and universities across states are attempting to hobble back to normal functioning. Educational institutions in over a dozen states have already reopened partially, with strict safety protocols and low attendance. Having soldiered through this year, exam conducting bodies are now planning for JEE Main 2021, NEET and school board exams.
When the prime minister, Narendra Modi, announced the first 21 days nationwide lock down on March 23, the number of infected cases was 500 with 12 deaths. Schools and colleges were closed just a week before they were to be opened for the new session. The national engineering and medical entrance examinations, Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main and National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), were to be held with a combined registration of 26 lakh candidates. Universities and colleges were also gearing up for their end and even-semester examinations. The education ministry postponed all the examinations to July including the pending Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) Class 10 and 12 examinations. Through a set of guidelines issued on July 6, the University Grants Commission (UGC) made holding final semester examinations compulsory for all universities — a move deeply resented and bitterly fought by several states.The National Testing Agency (NTA) also announced it will conduct the JEE Main and NEET in September. The prospect of travelling to exam centres and writing public exams caused panic among students and parents. First they protested online, then petitioned the government and finally moved the Supreme Court.
Then, the Supreme court upheld UGC’s guidelines that made holding exams mandatory for final year students for all universities.
SC ruled that students cannot be promoted or granted degrees without exams. The SC also allowed states to approach the UGC for extension of the deadline for holding exams.
Six states filed a review petition in Supreme Court demanding postponement of NEET and JEE examinations in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The states were West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra On 1st September, JEE Main 2020 began and on 2nd September, The ministry of Health and Family welfare issued detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) to conduct exams. The SOPs recommend using face masks, social distancing and respiratory etiquette.
Now, CBSE will release a date sheet for both Class 10 and 12 soon.
The datasheet will be issued soon by the CBSE. The delay in exam schedules came after several parents requested on the social media platform of the education minister.
“Schools will be allowed to conduct Practical/Project/Internal Assessment of Class 10 and Class 12 from 1 March, 2021 to the last date of conduct of theory examination of these classes. Date sheet of both Class 10th & 12th will be issued soon“, the central board said.
Crux of the matter is that, the “Nation shifted to online classroom module overnight, exams got postponed / cancelled and thus Students/Parents had to resort to proper planning and strategy amidst such uncertainties” Says Hirav Shah, Leading Strategist, Adviser, Consultant and Astrologer of India.
Conclusion
People often try to spare themselves disappointment by thinking through how things could go wrong.
However, research shows that people tend to overestimate the risks and negative consequences that may result from a situation. That leads to a lot of anxiety, or worse–sets us up for failure.
“But, do not feel discouraged. The new year is an opportunity to rewrite the rules and stop settling for less in your business. It is the opportunity to cast a strategic vision that is different from the past and to create more success and growth in your business and your life,” Opines Hirav Shah.
Hirav Shah Concludes – “If you are an educator, student or parent ; if you run a college, school or a coaching centre ; if you are a player(big or small) in the field of education – You need Astro-Strategy to overcome all hurdles, You need Strategy for certainty and You need Astro-Strategy to perform to your potential and ace.”
