The Karnataka High Court has intervened in a legal dispute, allowing the state government to conduct board exams for Classes 5, 8, 9, and 11, despite opposition from private school associations.
Amid a legal battle over the conduct of board exams, the Karnataka High Court has granted permission to the state government to proceed with examinations for Classes 5, 8, 9, and 11 as scheduled for March 11. The decision comes after a single-judge bench had previously nullified the government’s notification regarding these exams.
A two-judge bench, consisting of Justices K Somashekar and Rajesh Rai K, overturned the earlier ruling on Thursday, temporarily halting the exams. The court’s interim order was issued following an appeal filed by the Karnataka government against the single judge’s decision.
The court clarified its position, stating that it was necessary to suspend the impugned order passed by the learned single judge, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter.
However, the decision faced opposition from the Registered Unaided Private School Association, led by its president, Lokesh Talikatte. The association intends to challenge the division bench’s interim order in the Supreme Court.
In defense of the examinations, the government’s counsel emphasized the importance of prioritizing students’ interests. They highlighted the absence of opposition from parents or students in the High Court and accused the private school association of opposing the exams for personal gain.
The controversy arises from the Karnataka State Examination and Assessment Board’s introduction of centralised annual examinations for Classes 5 and 8 in the previous academic year, extending to Class 9 and the first PUC examinations through a September 2023 notification.
The private schools association argued that the Right to Education (RTE) mandates continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) at the school level for Classes 5, 8, and 9, rather than board exams. Talikatte emphasized the importance of CCE, aligning it with students’ learning abilities.
Despite legal challenges and opposition, the Karnataka government is poised to conduct board exams as planned, ensuring clarity on assessment methods and minimal disruption to students’ academic calendars.
The Karnataka High Court’s intervention has paved the way for the state government to proceed with board exams for Classes 5, 8, 9, and 11, resolving a legal dispute and providing clarity amidst opposition from private school associations.
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