Supreme Court dismisses plea against Kerala govt decision to hold Class 11 exams

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea filed against the decision of the Kerala government to hold Class 11 exams in offline mode (Rasoolshan A v. Additional Chief Secretary)..Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and CT Ravikumar observed that the Court was convinced with the reasons furnished by Kerala government in its affidavit and that it "trusts the authorities" that no "untoward" situation would arise if the exams are held amidst COVID-19.The Court was hearing an appeal against a decision of the Kerala High Court which had given green signal for the exams.The top court had on September 3 stayed the exams and also asked the government for its response while querying whether online exams could be held. The government later submitted an affidavit ruling out online exams while also explaining the reasons for holding offline exams and the precautionary measures which it will adopt.The same was accepted by the Court on Friday..A group of 48 students from Kerala had also moved the Supreme Court raising concerns about the class 11 exams for State board schools and seeking directions to adopt an alternative mode of assessment in line with CBSE and other boards which have cancelled physical exams..The 48 applicants filed the present plea as an intervention application in the main appeal filed against the High Court verdict.The intervention plea said that after the top court stayed the offline class 11 exams for a week, the State counsel submitted that he will take instructions on conducting online exams.The applicants raised objection to the same too contending that it will be a problem for them due to internet connectivity and thus an alternate assessment scheme should be devised by the state in line with CBSE and other boards..The plea filed through Child rights activist Anubha Shrivastava Sahai and students rights activist Anand Padmanabhan said that due to poor electronic connectivity, network range issues and the non-availability of electronic devices, a large number of students from rural as well as coastal areas have been adversely affected cannot compete with students who have access to better devices and internet facilities. This plea was also dismissed by the top court today.