The annual High School Certificate (HSC) (Matriculation) examinations would begin from February 28 and the annual Plus Two examinations from the first week of March next year, it was decided on Wednesday.
The HSC examinations dates were decided at a meeting of the Examination Committee of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) at its headquarters in Cuttack.
BSE President Sushant Kumar Das told reporters that the examinations would begin on February 28 and conclude on March 10. Besides, the annual Sanskrit Madhyama examination would be conducted simultaneously with the same schedule of the HSC examinations.
About six lakh students would appear at the HSC examinations while about 4000-5000 students would appear at the Sanskrit Madhyama examination. “The online form fill-up for the HSC examinations will begin from the first week of November and continue till the month-end. The Controller of Examinations will come up with a detailed schedule of the examinations in the first week of November,” he added.
About the measures to be taken for the HSC examinations, Das said the BSE would take similar steps which had been taken in the previous years. “The board will seek necessary support from the Government for smooth conduct of the examinations,” he said. Das said the BSE fixed the dates of the examinations after getting permission from the State Election Commission (SEC) and the School and Mass Education Department. Asked whether there is any possibility that the examinations dates would be deferred, he said any such eventuality would have no effect on the announcement of the results.
“As per practice, results are generally announced within two months after the examinations. Besides, the Supreme Court guideline also clearly states that the results should be declared within two months. We will strictly adhere to the court guideline,” Das noted.
On the selection of examination centres, the BSE President said, “We will begin the process of selection of examination centres only after the form fill-up.”
He also said the BSE would try its best to ensure error-free evaluation.
“About 50,000 teachers will be engaged in the evaluation of about 36 lakh answer sheets. Considering the volume of work, there could be some mistakes inadvertently. Despite this, efforts will be made to ensure proper evaluation to give justice to the students,” he said.
The BSE’s announcement followed a review meeting presided over by School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra at the State Secretariat in Bhubaneswar earlier in the day in the presence of department Secretary Ranjana Chopra. Besides, the Minister informed that keeping the panchayat elections in February in view, the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) has decided to conduct the Plus Two examinations from March first week till the last week of the month. “The council will prepare the detailed schedule of the examinations at a meeting of the Examination Committee and announce the schedule very soon,” he added.