No changes in schedule of Class 12 exams: Indian schools

By Joseph Varghese/Staff ReporterOfficials of Indian schools in Doha have dismissed reports that the Class 12 examinations will be advanced to the first week of February. They have also affirmed that the examinations will be held according to the schedule and reports contrary to this are baseless and just rumours.The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) generally conducts the Class 12 examinations in the months of March and April. Rumours have been spreading fast and wide that the examinations are being advanced to February in view of the parliamentary elections in India, which are due in April and May. Many Class 12 students and their parents have been upset and worried over the reports.Speaking to Gulf Times, Birla Public School principal A K Shrivastava, who is also chairman of the Council of CBSE Schools in the Gulf, said these reports were just rumours. “These are just rumours and have no credibility. No school has received any such communication. If there were any changes, schools would have been informed accordingly well in advance. If any changes in the examination schedule take place, schools need to make arrangements and meet several requirements for the students,” he explained.Shrivastava assured that parents need not be worried and these rumours have been spread by some private teachers.   “During my 35 years of career with CBSE, the examinations have never been advanced. If at all there is any advancement of the schedule, it can only be a matter of a few days. These rumours  are spread by private tutors who may have some vested interests,” he said, adding that he will get in touch with CBSE officials over phone and get a clarification. MES Indian School principal A P Sasidharan echoed similar views and said he had got the CBSE calendar that specifies the examinations schedule for March and April. “We had got in touch with CBSE officials and got the issue clarified. As it is, the examinations will take place as per the scheduled plan of CBSE. If there was any plan for a change, CBSE would have informed the schools well on time so that they could make alternative arrangements for the Class 12 students,” he said, adding that these were rumours spread by some tuition teachers.Earlier this week, some worried parents of Class 12 students had contacted Gulf Times seeking clarification on the schedule of the examinations. One of them said he had got information that the examinations were being advanced to the first week of February due to elections in India.