Tag: Covid-19 and Students

Cancellation Of Board Exams

‘Cancellation Of Board Exams Ends Uncertainty, Stress’

By LokMarg

Ehsaas Kant, a Class 12 student of SKD Academy in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, speaks about how the uncertainty over board exams kept children and parents on the edge amid Covid-19

Finally, the government figured out a way to end the stalemate that Class 12 students across the country had found themselves in. To say that I am relieved would be a massive understatement, I am happy. I am not happy because the exams have been cancelled but because the confusion is over. I would have been equally happy if the exams had been held. I am ok with the new objective evaluation process as my academic performance in the past 3 years has been good.

I want to be a doctor when I grow up. I want to be able to contribute in times like these, when the pandemic is raging all around us, and not just be a mute spectator. Doctors are always beacons of hope, but right now it is us aspiring medical students (and all Class 12 students) that need hope and support.

I am a Class 12 student at SKD Academy, Lucknow, which follows the CBSE curriculum. The academic year 2020-21 has been ‘testing’ in every sense of the word. Just as we passed Class 11, we were faced with the pandemic and no one could make any sense of what was going on. I don’t think we have still been able to make much sense. In 2020 our schools were closed from March to October, so you can say that our Class 12 foundation was quite shaky. Between October and February we somehow managed the curriculum, only to see a repeat telecast of 2020 all over again during the second wave.

Ehsaas (left) says the government decision has not come a day too soon

Frankly, I was shocked when the second wave appeared. Thank God we could at least get our lab practicals done in time. I thought our lives were finally going back to normal and that we would for sure be able to give our Board exams unhindered, but that was not to be. But it’s ok that with the cancellation of exams and the new evaluation process we will be able to make some sense of things.

For long, many of us were trying to keep to our daily routine of studies, but after a time you do begin questioning things. Our teachers were available on WhatsApp and video calls if we need them. A little pressure is necessary for performing well, and since for the past many months the goalposts kept shifting with extended lockdowns in place, it was easier to become lax.

ALSO READ: ‘Delay In Holding Exams Got On My Nerves’

But the overall stress gets increased in such situations, one just wants the exams to get over with. Along with Board exams, we also haven’t been able to give any competitive exams (NEET) as well. The road towards medical studies looks riddled with hurdles right now. However now we can at least prepare single-mindedly for our entrance exams or any other competitive exams.

My dad, who is a Computer Engineer kept me motivated all this while and told me to continue studying for the last few months, keeping this fact in mind that no matter even if the school and competitive exam dates are suddenly announced, I should be prepared and not caught off guard. My younger sister, who is in Class 7 keeps me company during lockdown. And my mom’s constant support has seen me through these uncertain times, but I do miss my friends and cousins a lot.

For long I wondered, if Class 10 Board exams could be cancelled, couldn’t something be figured out for us as well? Maybe at least a forum could be created where students could put forward their grievances and queries and support each other. Mental and emotional support of students is as important in these times as is social distancing and wearing masks (as in physical well-being).

Of course I would have needed to go out for my medical studies, but now if at all exams are held and we clear them, we have to take the city or town’s medical infrastructure also into account. So many places have institutes of repute, but the surrounding medical infrastructure isn’t so good.

I hope all the progress we have made towards education for everyone in our country doesn’t get washed away by the pandemic. My cousins who are doing their graduation abroad have had an equally tough year and we keep trying to cheer each other up. Family support is very important in these times and I am glad that my parents understand my situation. Love and laughter in family and vaccines are what will see us through these uncertain times.

‘Class 10 & 12 Students Staring At Uncertain Future’

By LokMarg

Swapnil Pal, who gave Class 10 board exams in March, is anxious about his future but lauds the role of teachers for continuing to take (online) classes. Pal says these teachers are also Corona warriors

I just gave my Class 10 Boards and what a year it has been. Everyone except Class 10 and Class 12 students have their regular online classes going on and yet the students of these two classes are staring at an uncertain future. Our education is on hold for the time being. The only semblance of certainty and structure in our education right now comes from the online Engineering coaching classes conducted by an institute called Scholar’s Den.

Even though we have adapted to online classes now, there’s a certain feeling of learning in classroom. One learns while having fun with friends. The engineering entrance syllabus is quite a handful and friends help one break the monotony. Also, there is a sense of camaraderie. Now we are all studying alone in our homes.

ALSO READ: ‘Anxiety In Students, But Online Mischiefs Continue’

We are around 60 students in one class and classes are conducted through Zoom. Every day around 1.5 GB data gets used to attend the classes and the rest for assignments. Only a little data is left if one wants to play games or watch videos. Our classes are conducted between 3 pm to 8 pm and in the mornings we are supposed to complete our assignments given in these classes.

The teachers are also getting used to new ways of teaching. Many of them are still themselves learning about handling technology perfectly. A few days ago our one and half hours Inorganic Chemistry class got cancelled because of a technical glitch. One didn’t when the glitch would be solved so we didn’t really know what to do. Then other problems occur too, like user id and password not matching when tests are about to happen. I was locked out of a test recently because it happened with me. I wish I had been able to take that test, but it is ok, one needs to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances and glitches in these times.

ALSO READ: ‘Few Smartphones, So We Used SMS, Voice Data’

The group feeling isn’t there, that we are all preparing for these exams together, but we make up for it by sometimes calling each other when we get time between classes and assignments. I divide my time between topics wisely and make sure to ask questions if we don’t understand anything. We have something known as DCC (Doubt Clearing Classes) everyday in breaks between online classes and we are encouraged to clarify the minutest of our doubts before moving on to the next chapter or topic. That’s something that has helped us students a lot. While studying on my own also I ask myself if I have really understood the topic and can explain it to someone else easily.

I don’t know when schools will reopen and we will be able to get admissions in Class 11, but I am sure of one thing that our education won’t stop. There are so many people working to set things straight, especially we see news of so many teachers working dedicatedly. Teachers can also be called corona warriors. They are fighting to keep ignorance at bay and are fighting to keep hope in the future alive.