CBSE Latest News: SC Dismisses Plea Seeking Exemption From CBSE Board Exam 2021 Fee
The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction to CBSE and the Delhi Government to waive Class 10 and Class 12 board exam fees in the current academic year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah dismissed the petition filed by NGO 'Social Jurist' against the September 28 order of the Delhi High Court.
The Supreme Court Bench has asked the counsel to approach the appropriate authority. "How can the court direct the government to do this? You should give a representation to the government...Dismissed," the bench said.
The Delhi High Court had asked the AAP government and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to treat the PIL filed by the NGO as a representation and take a decision "in accordance with law, rules, regulations and government policy applicable to the facts of the case" within three weeks.
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The NGO later moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the board and the Delhi Government to waive examination fees in view of the ongoing pandemic and consequent financial problems being faced by parents.
The appeal in the SC said that due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the income of parents has either disappeared or declined to such a level that it has become difficult for them to arrange even two meal for their families.
It said the high court's order has resulted in denial of relief to 30 lakh students in the country and three lakh are in Delhi alone.
The plea, filed through lawyer Ashok Agarwal, said either CBSE be asked to waive off the exams fee or the Centre should pay the money from the PM Cares Fund in the country.
“It may be stated here that till 2018-19 the CBSE Examination fee of students of Class 10 or 12 was very nominal but in the year 2019-20, respondent CBSE increased Examination fee in manifold.
"In the current year 2020-21, CBSE has demanded Examination fee from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 from students of Class 10 and Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,400 from Class 12 students depending upon number of subjects, practical, etc,” the plea said.
Last year, the Delhi government had paid board exam fees but in 2020-21, it has refused to do so citing financial crunch.
The NGO sought direction to the CBSE to waive the fee or direct the Centre to pay to CBSE from “the PM Care Fund or from any other available resources”.
Meanwhile, students on social media are asking CBSE and the Education Ministry for “clarity” on when the exams will be held next year.
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Last year, CBSE released Class 10 and 12 board exam date sheets in January and conducted the exams in February-March. Citing safety concerns due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many have also asked the board to postpone exams.
The Delhi Government, in October, asked the CBSE not to hold exams next year before May. However, CBSE or the Education Ministry have not made any announcement yet on when the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations will be conducted next year.