The Highest Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams are more important than the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams, the Bombay High Court was informed on Monday. The state government further said that it is yet to take a final call on HC exams and is awaiting for the Union government's decision for class 12 exams.
This comes on an affidavit filed by the Maharashtra government's school education and sports department in response to the PIL filed by Pune-based Dhananjay Kulkarni, a professor, who challenged the state's decision to cancel class 10 exams.
The affidavit was filed pursuant to the orders of the HC bench led by Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla, who came down heavily on the state for "making mockery of the education system by cancelling the exams."
Justice Kathawalla had slammed the state for its discriminatory approach by cancelling only class 10 exams and not class 12.
In its affidavit, the state through, deputy secretary Rajendra Pawar, the state government said that it decided to cancel the class 10 exams this year owing to the Covid19 pandemic and after considering the safety of teachers, students, parents and other stakeholders.
"It is like comparing apples with cheese only because both are edible," the state said.
The affidavit added, "Class 12 board exams are relatively more important and considered to be a milestone in the education of students as their future careers depend upon the HC exams. It is only after class 12 exams, the path of the students' overall career is decided."
The state further said that class 12 students are more matured, independent, socially aware and mentally fit, as compared to class 10 students. It highlighted that over 16 lakh students would appear for SSC class.
The state has further said that it decided to cancel the class 10 exams especially after the second wave of the Covid19 virus and post consulting all the stakeholders in the education fraternity. It further added that Covid19 cases were gradually decreasing but still the situation isn't totally under control and the pressure on the health care system, continues to persist.
The affidavit highlighted the fact that the third wave is anticipated which could affect children under the age of 19 years.
The matter is likely to be heard on June 1.
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