WB Board Exam 2021: SFI urges Govt to confirm to other Boards for evaluation standards

The CPI (M) students wing has urged the West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu to ensure that the students of classes 10 and 12 do not lag behind students of other boards amidst the state decision to postpone the Class 10 and 12 examinations due to the COVID-19 situation.

In a letter addressed to the state education minister, the Students Federation of India state unit secretary Srijon Bhattacharya and state president Pratikur Rahman also asked the state government to register to protest against the decision by the Centre to make online education mandatory for every student. 

Govt must ensure that students do not lag in the overall evaluation

The letter stated that the state has informed about postponing the secondary and higher secondary exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that students can not be allowed to qualify for the exams with evaluation is also agreeable however it must be ensured that the students do not lag behind in the overall evaluation and during the future stages of their career. The letter further states that the fate of the students must be decided in conformity with the decision of other boards in the country about their students. The students union has further integrated its opposition to the UGC decision on blended mode of learning which suggests completion of 40 percent of the curriculum through online modes implying that it should not be enforced on the students of the state.

SFI further added that for a long time the Centre has been trying to enforce online learning and taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation, with the new Education Policy emphasizing the need for online education. 

Online educations must not be forced

The SFI, while highlighting that it is not against the use of technology, stated that the reality is that a particular number of students do not have smartphones or tablets and there are also problems like the cost of data packs and net connectivity in rural areas for which depending on online education is not always feasible. The letter further adds that the government should provide tabs and free internet service to all the students and not just the class 12 students and relying on online teaching without building the minimum infrastructure is not right.

The SFI students body further pointed out that there cannot be an alternative to classroom teaching and those who can take the advantage of online learning can join the class at home but for those who cannot, the government must take necessary steps so that they can come to the school at least twice a week.

Also Read: Haryana to reopen Schools for Class 9 to 12 Students from 12th June, Check SOPs, COVID-19 Guidelines Here