COVID-19: Academic plan after meeting with states, says HRD Minister

NEW DELHI: Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Union Minister of Human Resource Development, speaking to parents during a webinar on April 27 said that a meeting of education ministers is scheduled for April 28, 2020. He said that decisions about the academic schedule will be taken after consultation with states as education is on the concurrent list

He also added that the Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE, has been asked to draw up an alternative academic calendar and that all exams, including competitive exams, will take place once the lockdown is lifted. The nationwide lockdown was enforced on March 25 in bid to control the spread of the coronavirus.

The academic schedule has been completely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and colleges have been shut since the middle of March and although some institutions are attempting to teach online, examinations and admissions are on hold.

Pokhriyal had taken part in the webinar, conducted on Twitter and Facebook, to address parents’ questions about their children’s “academic future”, mental health and other issues.

Parents were invited to ask questions online using the hashtag #EducationMinisterGoesLive

CBSE and NEET Exams

Addressing concerns of parents rooted in the ongoing lockdown, Pokhriyal said that exams will take place after situation normalises, including competitive exams. He informed that students have used the DIKSHA, the MHRD’s online e-learning platform for schools, 12 crore times.

A parent from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, asked about the remaining Class 10 and Class 12 exams of the Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE. These were put on hold on March 18. Pokhriyal said that they will take place as soon as the lockdown is lifted and that till then, children should continue with their studies. “We are also trying that the evaluation process commences soon,” he added.

One of the students raised concern about timing of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, or NEET 2020, for admission to undergraduate courses in medicine. Pokhriyal pointed out that all the exams have been delayed because of lockdown and advised him to utilise this time for his preparation.

Deepu Arvind from Kerala asked about losing a session to which Pokhriyal replied: “We are trying to cover the gap. We have asked CBSE to come up with a revised academic calendar.”

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