Scrap 'absurd' clause: All Assam Students' Union (AASU)

HSLC & HS EVALUATION

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The students and parents were frustrated and clueless about their future academic and professional careers after the State Government had announced an evaluation formula for examinees of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC)/Assam High Madrassa (AHM) and Higher Secondary (HS) examinations, 2021.

The government on Thursday announced the evaluation formula after the two high-powered committees comprising renowned academicians submitted their reports and recommendations on assessing examinees of the HSLC/AHM and HS examinations in the absence of formal physical examination this year due to the prevailing pandemic situation.

Students and their parents are passing sleepless nights over the "absurd" clause which stipulates that mark sheets and certificates under the new evaluation formula will be applicable for admissions in higher classes but not valid for jobs in the State Government and other sectors.

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu on Thursday said that for some of the government jobs including the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), the merit assessment of candidates is done on marks scored by them in the HSLC and HS examinations. He said the newly adopted evaluation formula given the Covid pandemic will not be accepted in such future examinations for jobs. "For the sake of their professional career, the students should appear in the special board examinations. The students who are not satisfied with their results declared based on evaluation the formula will also be able to appear for the special examination," Pegu said.

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Friday warned the State Government not to "play with the lives and future of students" with such an "absurd" clause in the evaluation criteria and immediately take a decision to withdraw the clause.

"We have a strong objection to the clause which states that the HSLC and HS mark-sheets will not be eligible for jobs but only for admissions to higher classes. This is a completely absurd and gross injustice to students. The State Government must scrap this particular clause. We will not tolerate any move that could endanger the future academic and professional career of students," AASU chief adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya said while addressing a press conference here on Friday. He said there cannot be two separate mark sheets and certificates for students in HSLC/AHM and HS examinations.

The AASU has decided to extend support to the SEBA (Board of Secondary Education, Assam) and AHSEC (Assam Higher Secondary Education Council) to implement the other recommendations of the committees to ensure that the "students get justice".

"While we agree that there should be no ranks given to students, we want the exam boards to award star/distinction marks as divisions such as first and second would be announced. The evaluation criteria have to be student-friendly," Dr Bhattacharjya said.

The AASU will submit separate letters to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Education Minister Ranoj Pegu demanding withdrawal of the 'absurd' clause.

AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath said the clause "compromises the interest and security of the students".

"As it is, they are already under a lot of mental pressure amid the uncertainty brought about by the COVID situation," Nath said.

AASU general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah said the Health Department had given data underlining that the situation was not conducive for holding the HSLC/AHM and HS examinations, for which the examinations had to be cancelled.

"So this situation is not the fault of students. The previous government is to be blamed for not being able to hold the examinations on time (in February) and then came the pandemic situation. Why should students suffer now? The uncertainty of students must come to an end and they must get justice," Baruah said.

Also Read: AASU Expresses Dissatisfaction With The Evaluation Method of Declaring HS/HSLC 2021 Results

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