Over a million CBSE students will be promoted to next grade without writing exams

• Over a million CBSE students will not have to appear for examinations this year due to Covid-19 lockdown.
  
• The ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to promote all the students in Classes 1-9 and Class 11 — to the next class.
  
• Ramesh Pokhriyal, the HRD Minister told CBSE that these students shall be promoted to the next class based on school assessments — including projects, periodic tests, term exams — that have been conducted so far.

A large number of Indian students stuck at home during the lockdown might have a reason to celebrate. The ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to promote all the students — from class 1 to 11 — without examinations.

This will bring relief to over a million students who are agonizing over postponement of exams and the lack of clarity on dates. "In view of the current situation due to Coronavirus, I have advised CBSE to promote all students studying in classes I-VIII to the next grade," Ramesh Pokhriyal, the HRD Minister tweeted.

All except students of 10th grade, who are appearing for the board examination this year.


Ramesh Pokhriyal, the HRD Minister told CBSE that these students shall be promoted to the next class based on school assessments — including projects, periodic tests, term exams — that have been conducted so far.

The development comes after several teachers and parents appealed to the government for mass promotion without summative assessment.

CBSE had earlier rescheduled Class X and Class XII examinations that were to be held between March 19 to 31 until further notice. “All ongoing examinations of the board for Classes-X and XII, being held in examination centres in India and abroad, and scheduled between 19.03.2020 to 31.3.20 (both dates inclusive), shall be rescheduled after 31st March, 2020,” CBSE said.

“While maintenance of academic calendar and exam schedule is important, equally important is the safety and security of the students who are appearing in various examinations, as also that of their teachers and parents,” the official announcement said.

Earlier, the UP government directed the state board to go with mass promotions. "Orders have been issued to promote all students, studying in schools run by the basic education department, of class one to eight to next classes without examination,” the official announcement by Renuka Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Education said.

Evaluation work has also been put on hold during this time. The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad also halted the marksheet evaluation process of class 10th and 12th board exams in the wake of coronavirus — after several teachers refused to show up at the evaluation centres.