The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), which holds ISC and ICSE board exams, has written to Chief Ministers of all states to allow schools to reopen partially for students of Classes 10 and 12 from January 4, 2021.
It reasoned that students should be able to participate in project works, practical works, SUPW and doubt-clearing sessions ahead of their board exams in 2021. In a statement, the Council said if schools are allowed to reopen from the said date, they will follow all COVID-related protocol prescribed by the government.
'With the students physically attending school, this time will be utilised for practical work, project work, SUPW work and for 'doubt clearing' lessons,' says a statement issued by CISCE chief executive and secretary, Gerry Arathoon.
He further added, 'If allowed to reopen, the schools will be informed to follow the directives of the state government regarding COVID-19 and to conform to the safety guidelines and the standard operating procedures of the state health department to prevent the spread of coronavirus.'
The Home ministry unlock guidelines have left the states to decide on reopening of schools and there is no consensus among them on when to do so. Some states reopened schools in November but some shut them again following spikes in COVID-19 cases.
Further, the CISCE has also enquired from the Chief Election Commissioner of India about elections that will be held in April-May 2021 so that it can finalise its datesheet for the upcoming board exams (ICSE board exam 2021 and ISC board exam 2021).
'CISCE has also requested the Chief Election Commissioner of India to share the election dates of the States that are due to have their elections in the month of April-May 2021. This will enable CISCE to finalize schedules for ICSE-Class X ISC Class XII year 2021 examinations and to ensure that there are no clash of dates,' the CISCE statement said.
Notably, schools across India have been shut since March 2020 because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Many states have resumed schools partially but have encouraged online mode of learning.
