While the Supreme Court (SC) has asked CBSE to consider cancelling its pending exams and allot scores on the basis of their internal assessment, it has cleared the state for conducting the SSLC exams fron June 25 in Karnataka. Refusing to interfere with the May 27 verdict of Karnataka High Court allowing the state to conduct the exams, the apex court dismissed a special leave petition filed by Rajshree of Maratha Mandal, Belagavi contending that government’s decision violates a child’s right to life.

The SC Bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao, Krishna Murari and S. Ravindra Bhat said, “We are in agreement with the High Court of Karnataka that the writ petition filed for cancellation of SSLC examination for the academic session 2019-20 did not warrant interference.” The order states that the Karnataka High Court has issued several directions regarding the steps that needs to be taken by the government to conduct exams. “Even students who would not be able to take the examination have been protected,” it stated.

The HC had also observed that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the government for the conduct of Karnataka SSLC exams show that the government and the Board are conscious of students’ safety. The HC had also directed the government to provide public transport, send messages to students/parents on option for second round of exam in September and that the academic year of the students appearing for second round/supplementary exam will not be lost.

However, the petition filed before the SC had contended that the government’s decision was in violation of a minor’s right to life when the country is affected by COVID-19 and the High Court had not properly appreciated the risk to life of children in forcing them to appear for the exam in the present scenario.

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