GUWAHATI, May 2 - Declaration of results of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination, conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Assam (SEBA) will be delayed by at least one month due to the lockdown imposed in the country to fight the spread of COVID-19. The SEBA is also yet to take any decision whether to reduce the syllabus for the next year�s examination due to closure of the schools.
Highly placed sources in the education department told The Assam Tribune that the HSLC examination this year could be completed on time, but declaration of results would be delayed because of the lockdown. Sources said the evaluation of answer scripts was completed before the lockdown, but processing of the results could not be carried out that may delay declaration of the results.
Sources said that last year, the HSLC examination results were declared on May 15 and this year, the SEBA is hopeful of declaring the results by June 15, but it would depend on the ground situation. �With evaluation of the answer scripts finished, one major part of the job is complete, but it will take around 25 days for processing and moreover, some works are done outside the State. Though the SEBA is hopeful of declaring the results by June 15, it will depend on the situation in other parts of the country,� sources added.
Though vital time of the academic calendar has been lost as the schools are closed, the SEBA has not yet taken any decision on reducing the syllabus for the next year�s HSLC examination. It may be mentioned here that though the government has taken a decision to ease the lockdown norms from May 4, no decision has yet been taken for reopening of the educational institutions.
Education department sources pointed out that if the schools remain closed up to May 31, altogether 58 days of the academic calendar would be lost. That loss can be made up by forgoing the summer vacation and other holidays and by taking extra classes. But if the schools do not open on June 1, it may be difficult to complete the course for next year�s HSLC examination.
Sources said it would not be possible for one state alone to reduce the syllabus for the class X board examination and a decision in this regard would have to be taken for all states. �A large number of students of Assam go outside for studies after the HSLC examination and if Assam alone reduces the syllabus, such students would face serious problems. That is why, the SEBA can take such a decision only if such an advisory comes from the Centre,� sources said.
