AP Board Exams 2021 – Andhra Pradesh Government Cancels SSC, Inter Exams

New Delhi, 25 June 2021 – The Andhra Pradesh government has announced the cancellation of the SSC (Class 10) and intermediate (Class 12) examinations. 

Andhra Pradesh govt announces cancellation of Class 10 and Class 12 board exams: AP Education Minister Audimulapu Suresh

— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2021

Andhra Pradesh Education Minister, Audimulapu Suresh, announced that the decision to cancel the (AP) SSC and Inter Exams 2021 has been taken since it is not possible for the state board to conduct the examinations and declare the results within the timeline directed by the Supreme Court. 

Note: The Supreme Court has recently directed the state board authorities to complete the entire process of board examinations, including the release of final results, by 31st July 2021.     

While addressing a press conference, Suresh stated, “The Supreme Court had held a hearing on the inter-examinations of Andhra Pradesh and issued orders to complete the entire examinations process including the declaration of results by July 31. It is not possible to conduct the inter exams and declare the results by July 31, 2021, so we have called off the exams.”

In the wake of this cancellation, Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, who appeared on behalf of the AP Government, told the Supreme Court that a high-powered committee will be constituted in 10 days’ time to go through the assessment scheme and declare results before 31st July 2021.

Andhra Pradesh govt informs Supreme Court that it has decided to cancel State Board examinations for class XII. Senior adv Dushyant Dave appearing for AP told SC that in 10 days it’ll have a High Powered Committee which will devise assessment scheme&declare results before July 31

— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2021

AP Board Exams 2021 – What Happened Earlier?

• Earlier, the Government of Andhra Pradesh seemed keen on holding the exams despite the prevailing pandemic situation. Due to this, the opposition parties and parents had vociferously demanded the cancellation of board exams. 
• On 24th June 2021, the Andhra Pradesh government filed an affidavit to the Supreme Court of India stating that the Class 12 exams will be held as there is no “reliable alternative” to Inter exams in the state. This created a ruckus amongst students who projected their angst through the social media platform, Twitter. 
• In return, the Supreme Court warned the state government and asked, “Even if there is one fatality, we may order to compensate an amount of one crore from the state government. When other boards have cancelled, why does Andhra Pradesh want to show it is different?”
• Furthermore, the Court also said that if exams are held in July, results would be delayed, and students will lose admission in higher courses.
• After going through numerous petitions from parents’ and student’s bodies and acknowledging the graveness/seriousness of the entire situation, the apex court forced the Jagan Mohan Reddy government to cancel the exams.

Students, parents, teachers’ associations, and student unions have welcomed the decision of the state government. Political parties like the Telugu Desam and Janasena, which were demanding the cancellation of exams since May, have also welcomed this decision. 

TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh appreciated this step, stating the Supreme Court saved the lives of nearly 5 lakh students who have registered for AP Inter Exams 2021 this year.

AP Board Exams 2021 – Verdict From Supreme Court

In Andhra Pradesh, SSC or Class 10 students are awarded grades instead of marks. So, if the process of internal assessment is used as approved by SC (30:30:40 ratio – 60% of the weightage of Class 10 and 11 final results, and 40% weightage of Class 12 pre-board results), the final result may not be accurate. 

In the affidavit filed in front of SC, the board had also stated that the Class 10 exams are important as 25% weightage of state CETs is given to this exam. 

Although the Board of Intermediate Education Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) tried to put forth the show cause via its affidavit, the Supreme Court refused to acknowledge this petition. To this, the SC stated, “We are not satisfied with the precautionary measures you will be taking to hold the exams. We are not convinced with the mechanism you have devised. Unless we are satisfied that you can conduct the examination without any fatality, we will not allow you to hold the examination.”