odisha school exams: Odisha: Private schools can conduct annual exams online, minister

BHUBANESWAR: Following confusion over promotion of students from classes I to VIII, the state government on Tuesday clarified that all private schools which have been conducting online classes can take the exams online.

“Those schools which have been able to conduct online classes for students during the last one year and have the required infrastructure can conduct the final examination in online mode for students of classes 1 to VIII,” school and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Dash said.

He said conducting online exams may not be possible for government schools as many students could not attend online classes due to various issues like internet connectivity and unavailability of smartphones. The government is planning to promote all students to higher classes without conducting the annual examination, Dash had said.

The minister’s announcement had triggered confusion among private schools as many have already completed their annual exams while some are supposed to hold it in March and April.

“Since we have been conducting online classes and students had also appeared for half-yearly exam in virtual mode, the government should allow us to conduct the annual exam also in online mode,” said Minakshi Rao, teacher in a private school.

Due to Covid-19, schools in the state have been closed since March 17 last year. “Promoting students without conducting the annual exam is not good for students as they may lack motivation to study and perform well in the exam,” said Rajanikant Sahu, teacher in a government school.