New Delhi, Apr 13 (FN Bureau) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday appealed to the Central government to cancel CBSE board exams and introduce alternatives, to ensure the safety of the children in the country, since these examination centres can become COVID-19 hotspots. Requesting the Central government to cancel the CBSE exams in view of the Corona surge, Mr Kejriwal while addressing a press conference said, “Next, the safety and security of children is very important to us. In the upcoming CBSE examinations, 6 lakh students will appear and 1 lakh teachers will be involved in the examination process.’
‘These examination centres have the full potential of becoming COVID hotspots and given the safety and security of students, it is my humble appeal to the Centre that CBSE examinations be canceled,’ the Delhi Chief Minister said. Mr Kejriwal said alternative methods of examination can be accessed. ‘We can either take online exams or assess students on an internal assessment pattern and declare results keeping the tense situation in mind,’ he said. The Delhi Chief Minister said many other countries that are facing tough circumstances, owing to the second wave of the virus, have canceled exams. ‘Many states in our country have also canceled state board examinations. It is, therefore, my humble appeal to the Centre to cancel the CBSE examinations,” Mr Kejriwal added.
Addressing the press conference, the Delhi Chief Minister said, “Corona cases are rising rapidly. In the last 24 hours, we have seen a rise of 13,500 cases. At its peak during the third wave in November, the number of cases was 8500. The present wave of Corona is quite contagious and data shows that the youth and children are getting affected more than ever, contrary to popular opinion about Corona.’ He also appealed to the youth to follow all COVID protocols and step out only if necessary, since 65 per cent of the patients from the Corona cases that have been registered are less than 45 years of age.