Students of classes 9 and 11, who sit for school-specific examinations, may be allowed to retake the tests, says education minister
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Two days after hinting at a re-exam the government of Karnataka has categorically ruled out any option for students who were “absent” for the practicals conducted as part of the Board exams as they were not allowed to sit for exam wearing hijab during the hijab protests.
Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh, according to Times of India, stated that providing a second opportunity for the protesting students to take their practical exams was “impossible.”
“If we allow the students who boycotted the practicals for not being allowed to wear hijab to the exam even after the high court gave its interim order, then another student will come citing some other reason and seek a second chance,” he said.
However, students of classes 9 and 11, who sit for school-specific examinations, may be allowed to retake the tests, Education Minister reportedly said.
This decision of the state government is bound to have a negative effect on the education of hundreds of the Pre Univesty (PU) II students of Karnataka who had participated in the ongoing hijab protests to safegaurd their constitutional right.
In PU exams, practicals carry 30 marks and theory 70, totalling 100 per paper. While students who did not appear for practicals will lose the entire 30 marks, they can appear for the 70-mark theory exam and clear it to avoid losing an entire academic year.
