Exam burden issue in Delhi Schools; Parents approach NHRC, Child rights panel

New Delhi: Parents of the children studying in the private schools feeling discriminated as the Delhi government's decision not to hold an examination for the students from Class 3 to 8 studying in its schools does not apply for the private schools.

The controversy related to the examination has now reached to institutions like the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

President of Delhi Parents Association Aparajita Gautam called it discriminatory and also sought online exams for Class 9 and 11. He also pointed out that whether government or private, all schools were closed for children studying in small classes for almost a year.

"Till now we were appealing for online exams of 9th and 11th class. The Education Department did not respond to our appeal. From above, the department issued orders only for the children of 8th class in the government schools," Gautam said

"Now, by writing a letter to the Governor, Chief Minister, NHRC and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, an appeal has been made to conduct online exams of Class 9th and 11th in private schools of Delhi." he added

According to the Directorate of Education, Government of Delhi, students studying in classes 3 to 8 will not have to take the annual examinations this academic year. The directorate said that this decision will be applicable to government and government-aided schools. This decision of the Delhi government is not acceptable to the millions of parents whose children study in private schools.

At the same time, welcoming the decision of Delhi government to not hold an examination President of All India Parents Association, Ashok Aggarwal said to adopt the same policy for the students of class 9th and 11th in addition to the students up to the eighth standard.

"Due to Corona, all the students of Delhi who are studying in small classes are not able to go to school. In this case, this rule should be applied to private school students also." Aggarwal added

Meanwhile, In favour of the decision taken by the Delhi government, educationist K.C. Kandpal said that "if the government wants, students studying in private schools can also be given relief."

According to Vaibhavi, a student of Class 11, studying in a private school in Delhi, said, "There is no regular education in schools. We have studied online for the whole year. In such a situation, examinations could also be conducted online, but this decision has not been implemented. Now the offline examination has also been announced from next week."

(From IANS with edits)