MUMBAI: After cancelling Class 12 exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic, several schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are conducting offline practical examinations this week, leaving parents anxious.
The practical exams in each subject carry 30 marks.
Schools have been told to upload practical marks wherever it was or can be conducted by June 11.
Schools are now rushing to complete the practical exams and submission of journals and projects.
An evaluation policy after the cancellation of exams on June 1 is awaited.
An alternative to practicals is also expected.
The 14 lakh students of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in the state are waiting for their assessment formula.
The HSC exams were cancelled on June 3.
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Parents are panicking as CBSE schools have suddenly sent out emails detailing the practical examination dates.
Parents had launched online protests to cancel the pen-and-paper exams.
With the practical exams going offline, parents are refusing to send their children to school.
At a school in Badlapur, students reported for the physical education practicals on Sunday.
The email about the exam came late on Friday.
“The board has cancelled physical exams and now the school wants to risk students’ lives by gathering them in the school,” said a parent.
The school will be conducting physics and chemistry practicals from Monday to Wednesday.
Most parents are against the offline practicals.
They said students will have to spend the entire day in school as each practical will be of three hours.
Another school in Thane decided on practicals despite most parents being against it.
“Around 10 of the 100 students have agreed to practical exams in school.
There is no clarity on what happens to those who do not appear for the practicals,” said a parent.
At a school in Boisar, students complained that a few practical exams were held without social distancing.
Principals said the practical marks are crucial and will benefit students.
“Students are being called in batches and all Covid-19 protocols are in place,” said a principal.
