Students to appear in HSLC & HS exams of only 3 subjects of their choice: Education Minister

May 16: In the backdrop of the worsening Covid situation, the state government postponed both the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC)/ Assam High Madrassa (AHM) examination conducted by Board of Secondary Educaton, Assam (SEBA) and Higher Secondary (HS) examination conducted by Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC). Meanwhile, there occurred a change of guard in the education department with Dr. Ranoj Pegu replacing Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma as the new Education Minister after the later became the Chief Minister of Assam.

Assuming charge, the new Education Minister, Ranoj Pegu met the officials of the education department of the state, particularly with those at the helm of SEBA and AHSEC. While speaking with the media, the minister informed that a proposal to conduct the HSLC/AHM and HS examinations has been prepared, which would be implemented once the Assam Health and Family Welfare Department gives it approval.

It needs mention here that HSLC students have to appear in 6 subjects and those in HS are to appear in 5 subjects. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, they will be given the special opportunity this time to appear in only 3 subjects of their choice, both in HSLC/AHM and HS exams. The examinations will be held in offline mode.

The minister informed that keeping the pandemic situation in mind, a tailored scheme for conducting HSLC/AHM and HS examinations was adopted. Accordingly, only for this year, students who will be appearing for the HSLC and HS can choose three subjects only. For this purpose, a web portal will also be developed, where the students can make their subject choices online. However, the students shall have to clear the exams in the 3 subjects which they will be choosing.

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu also said that both the SEBA and AHSEC are prepared to conduct the exams at a 15 days’ notice from the health department. Once the Covid situation improves and the state health department gives permission to conduct the HSLC/AHM and HS exams, a formal notification in this regard will be issued. However, the minister did not specify any time schedule for the conduct of these examinations, as this would depend on the improvement of the Covid situation and the subsequent permission from the health department. He, however, urged upon the students to be prepared for the exams.