Students, parents on cancelling Class XII exams: ‘It’s a relief, but could have avoided months of uncertainty with faster decision’

The government on Tuesday cancelled the CBSE Class XII board exams, and CISCE followed suit. While students and parents say that it is a huge relief, they add that the decision came quite late. Now, the cancellation resolves the immediate concern of appearing for an exam in the pandemic, but college admission cut-offs remain a major concern.

'Relieved', 'elated', 'grateful', 'A big thank you’ – these were the most common reactions of students of Class XII and their parents after they got to know about the cancellation.
Aman Sharma, a student Modern School, Vasant Vihar, who's planning to go to the University of Pennsylvania for higher studies, says that he was relieved to find that the exam has been cancelled, else his college admission would have been affected. "It's a very very very big relief. I'm happy. The only option was to risk our lives and our family members' lives to give this exam. So I'm glad it has been decided, but I'm not going to downplay the emotional torture we went through in the last few months. The decision was quite delayed. But finally, it's a burden off our shoulders. I don't know anyone who wanted the exams to happen. Some were coping with grief, some were volunteering, some had COVID and some were taking care of family members. I know so many students whose parents or close ones died and who were unable to study, and their mental health has been affected. This was a welcome step."
Namita Khanna, whose daughter is a Class XII student, says, "As a parent, I am extremely relieved. This has been the longest academic year for this batch of 20-21. Students were already quite frustrated because of the delay in this decision, leaving them dangling with college placements in hand and deadlines approaching. As a parent of a child who is asthmatic and generally low on immunity, I was quite stressed on how it will to impact my daughter if the exams were to be held in physical space."
Aditya Mukarji, a student of The Shri Ram School, Aravali, says, "It is a good decision from the health and safety perspective of the students in the current scenario. But the method of assessment is still not very clear and we have concerns about how our grades will be measured. But I think the assessment system devised must be such that it can be used in 2022 in case the situation demands cancellation of the board exams again."
Dr. Praveen Makhija, parent of a Class XII student, says, “Seeing the condition of the country in the last two month, no child would have had studying time. Somebody has family in hospital, teachers are not available – this is not ideal time for study. It was one of the most miserable time in anybody’s life. So many have lost their family members, parents struggling with financial issues. Why should a child go through the trauma of exam pressure in a time like this? Let’s not play with their psyche. They have already suffered a lot.”

Aditya Dubey, a student of Modern School Barakhamba Road, says, "I initially wanted the exams to happen as most of us would have gotten better marks in board exams that we will get in internal assessments. However, the postponement of exams damaged our preparations. We have been studying the same course for the last 1-1.5 years. It has also become very difficult to focus now. Last month, my whole family got infected with COVID, and as my parents suffer from co-morbidities and my grandfather is 84 years old, that was a very scary time for me. Survival became my main priority. I also lost my 14-year-old cousin to COVID in May. It has been a very traumatic time for me and completely took my mind off my studies. Many students have faced or are facing similar or worse problems and tragedies during the second wave. It would have now been very difficult for us to bring back the same amount of focus as we had in March. So I feel the government has taken the right decision as it will protect the physical and mental health of students. My parents have allowed me to take a break year. My sister is studying computer science at Carnegie Mellon University and I hope to join her there next year."

While the decision to scrap Class XII board cancellation resolves the immediate concern of appearing for an exam in the pandemic, but how that will affect the college admission process remains a concern.
Sanvi Jain, a student of DPS, Vasant Kunj, says, "I'm really happy, but the decision is heartbreaking for those who studied the whole year. However, it is the best decision in this situation. I want to pursue BCom and Delhi University has some of the most sought-after colleges for BCom – like LSR and Hindu College. Now getting into those colleges based on how the Class XII marks will be calculated seems a bit tricky. Also, it is not happy news for those who studied so hard, because to be honest, online studies at times felt like too much to bear. It isn't easy. I had studied the whole year, but then I got COVID last month and haven't been able to get back to studies."
Kanika Singh, parent of a Class XII student, says, "The decision is a relief, marking the end of a treacherous year. The batch of 2021 had it tough. The postponement of pre-boards and then board exams caused a constant break in momentum for the students. If the percentage dips as per their final transcript their college offers may get revoked. How fair is that?"

Parents of some high scorers are not very happy with the development and insisted that topper students are at a disadvantage by this cancellation. While one parent says that now her son's dreams to be Class XII topper has been dashed forever, another adds, "What was the whole point of my son putting in all this hard work and my hard work? Our family sacrificed a whole year to create an environment for study at home, and now this!"
R P Singh, parent of a Class XII student, says, "Shining in board exams gives a boost to their confidence, but that has been taken away from our kids. Other alternative ways should have been thought of. While we support this decision to save lives, as a parent, I feel betrayed after seeing my daughter put in 15-18 hours a day for the whole year."