Reshma Ravishanker

At the backdrop of an unending wait for the state board exams, some unaided private schools in Bengaluru are conducting annual school-level assessments for students of classes 5, 8 and 9.

In Karnataka, state syllabus students of classes 5,8 and 9 have been awaiting the court order on whether annual assessments conducted by the board are to be conducted for them.

It may be recollected that an interim order from the Supreme court on March 12 halted these exams, the second day since commencement of these exams. Students have already appeared for first and second language papers.

With schools in a fix, they are conducting internal tests for students since the board exams were on hold.

“A day after the court said exams would be cancelled, we got a message from the school that the exam would be conducted as per the set timetable. They gave students a summative internal assessment in place of the board set question paper. We were happy that our son’s efforts did not go to waste. However we are worried that if the court allows exams again, the child will have to go through the fear of exams again. Even for a student who is well prepared, it is traumatizing,” said Ragini, a parent of a class 9 student.

Chidananda PE, member, Voice of Parents said “We met some students from a private school in Sahakarnagar. Class 5,8 and 9 students are having annual exams this week. Students have been informed that they must be prepared to face board exams if the government announces one as well.”

Meanwhile, a teacher from a private school in Rajajinagar said that the school also conducted a “revision test” after the annual assessment was cancelled. “While some schools are conducting their own exams, the dilemma remains about first and second language. Even if the government asks schools to conduct exams internally, should students write the two language papers again?” she questioned. 

Also read: Karnataka: Exam uncertainty heightens parent and student anxiety