“God Save The Education System!” – Bombay HC’s Lament On Maharashtra Govt Cancelling SSC Exams
Bombay high court on Thursday came down heavily on the state government’s decision not to hold SSC exams questioning whether it is making a mockery of the education system.
“Are you thinking of promoting them (students) without examination? Then God save the education system in this country and this State! This is the only main exam in the last year of school,’’ was the lament of a bench of Justices Shahrukh Kathawalla and Surendra Tavade. They heard a PIL by Dhananjay Kulkarni, a retired teacher from Pune, that cancellation of exams could lead to problems for XI admissions as different boards declare results based on different formulae.
Government pleader Priyabhushan Kakade said the State is waiting for suggestions from the State Council of Educational Research and Training in a week after which it will come up with a formula. “Are you making a mockery of the education system?” asked Justice Kathawalla. Kakade said the decision was taken due to the pandemic.” What are you talking? Pandemic. Pandemic,” said Justice Kathwalla, adding that on one hand, the State is saying Covid19 cases are lessening. “In the name of the pandemic you cannot spoil the career and future of our children. The framers of education policy should note that in the State. It is not acceptable,” said Justice Kathawalla.
The judges questioned the discrimination in holding HSC exams for 14 lakh students and not SSC exams for 16 lakh students adding that “things are done as per whims and fancies of so-called policymakers.” Told by Kakade that it was a policy decision taken by the government not to hold the SSC exams, Justice Kathawalla remarked, “You are just destroying the system.”
Mr. Kulkarni’s advocate Uday Warunjikar said for class I-VIII there were no exams and even for class XI. “The complete batch is without any examinations,’’ he said. Advocate Madhaveshwari Mhase, for an intervenor Anubha Sahai in favour of exam cancellation, said Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu cancelled SSC exams. She said Madras High Court even dismissed a challenge to the decision. “It is not binding on us. We care about the future of our students who are the future of the country. They cannot be promoted year after year,’’ said Justice Kathawalla. The judges pointed out that law firms are not considering last year LLB graduates’ scores of over 90 % and have said their appointment will not be based on their marks. “ We are harming them. We are not helping them,” said Justice Kathawalla.
CBSE board’s advocate Mihir Joshi said there were board exams and internal exams conducted before the exams were cancelled. “It is not as if we cancelled it in toto. Students are allowed to appear for exams in July if they are not happy with the assessment,” he added. ICSE board’s advocate Pratik Kothari said it will appoint experts to come up with a formula for assessment of internal exams of class IX. SSC board’s advocate Kiran Gandhi said it is awaiting a formula from the State. “You are not prepared with anything. Just cancel the exams and sit tight!” said Justice Kathawalla. The judges will pass an order.
Source : Times of India, techlive.in
