Amid the coronavirus pandemic in the country, West Bengal's state education department decided that students currently studying in classes 10th and 12th will not have their selection tests before board examinations in 2021.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that there will be no selection tests for state board students next year.
Mamata Banerjee said, “Students could not go to schools due to COVID-19 pandemic. The education department has taken a decision that those willing to take the 2021 Madhyamik (Class 10) and Uccha-Madhyamik (Class 12) exams will not require to clear any test. They will be allowed to sit directly for these (two) examinations.
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Educational institutes in the state remain closed in the state since March after the pandemic struck. Though digital classes have started, many students have not been able to take part in them due to lack of either smartphones or internet facilities.
The West Bengal government had said that a decision regarding the reopening of schools in the state will be taken only after Kali Puja depending on the COVID-19 situation.
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Although the Union Education Ministry allowed phased reopening of educational institutions across the country, the Mamata government in West Bengal was still unsure about resuming physical classes in state-run schools due to the COVID-19 situation in the state.