State Govt to HC: ICSE exams not viable due to Pandemic

On Friday, the Maharashtra Govt told the High Court of Bombay that the Coronavirus ground situation in Maharashtra is serious & therefore, in the current scenario, it isn't viable to hold the pending ICSE exams.

Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, Advocate General was responding to a query from a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta & Justice S S Shinde on its stand, since the CISCE board alleged the State Govt has no hold on it & it doesn't require its permission to conduct the exam. Kumbhakoni said the additional chief secretary (school education) had conveyed to the board on June 3 that permission cannot be granted. Earlier, senior advocate Darius Khambata for the board said it follows the orders of the Central Govt, & the State Govt can't direct it. 

The Court heard a Public Interest Litigation by Lawyer Arvind Tiwari, who is also a parent of a Class X student. On March 19, the board had postponed exams midway due to Covid-19. Tiwari urged to set aside the May 22 rescheduled exam timetable & to declare results on the basis of gradation & assessment of past performance as well as that in exams already held. Exams will be held from July 2- 12 for Class X & July 1-14 for Class XII.

Advocate Arvind Tiwari disputed that due to the outbreak, the State Govt on May 17 wrote to the University Grants Commission for cancellation of exams of undergraduate & post-graduate final-year students. He said the ICSE board was aware of this development, yet it issued a timetable for students who are aged under 16 & are not in a position to go & give their exams.
Khambata countered that exams are not a regular teaching activity & all precautuins will be taken. He said the board is closely observing the situation & will take an appropriate decision as students' health is paramount.

The hearing will continue on Monday.

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