Amid coronavirus scare, CISCE postpones ICSE, ISC board exams
The Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) on Thursday announced that it has decided to postpone the board examinations for Classes X and XII in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The decision comes merely a day after CISCE Chief Executive and Secretary Gerry Arathoon said that the examinations would be held as per schedule, inviting severe backlash. Here are more details.
ICSE and ISC exams postponed till March 31
The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) examinations for Class X were scheduled to end on March 30. Meanwhile, the Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations for Class XII were scheduled to end on March 31. The CISCE has decided to postpone both examinations till March 31. The board said that the revised dates will be announced in due time.
Here's what the CISCE notification said
"In view of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading across the country and with much uncertainty and speculation in the air, the Council, in the interest of the health and well-being of the students and the teaching community, has decided to postpone all ICSE and ISC Year 2020 Examinations scheduled to be conducted between the period March 19, 2020, to March 31, 2020."
Arathoon said yesterday that exams were not postponed
Arathoon told PTI Wednesday, "The exams have not been postponed and will be held as per schedule as of now." The clarification came after the Ministry of Human Resource Development directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and all educational institutions to postpone examinations till March 31. The JEE Mains entrance—scheduled to be held on April 5, 7, 9 and 11—was also postponed.
How bad is the outbreak in India?
According to the official website of the Ministry of Health, by 9 am on Thursday, India had reported 166 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These include 14 patients who have been cured and three deaths—in Delhi, Kalaburagi (Karnataka), and Mumbai (Maharashtra). The latest update from news agency ANI reported a total of 47 cases in Maharashtra, taking the national tally to 168.
Worldwide, coronavirus has killed over 8,800
COVID-19 was first reported in China's Wuhan city in December 2019. The disease is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus attacks a host's respiratory system triggering symptoms such as fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death. COVID-19 has spread to roughly 150 countries worldwide, killing over 8,800 and sickening 2 lakh.
