Jana Sena’s party leader Pawan Kalyan criticized the government’s decision on Tuesday to hold the SSC (grade 10) exams on schedule.
In a statement, he said the “irresponsible” decision would put the lives of student lakhs and their families at risk at a time when COVID-19 cases have been skyrocketing.
He pointed out that the CBSE had also canceled their exams and urged the government to cancel both the SSC and mid-term exams and promote students to the next level.
He stated that students and teachers in schools, social homes, junior colleges and private coaching centers are at risk of contracting the virus, and said medical experts had warned that the second wave was more dangerous than the first .
He said the decision would put nearly 16.5 lakh (6.4 lakh SSC students and 10.5 lakh intermediate students) at risk. “Who will also take responsibility for the health of the elderly and the permanently ill family members of these students?” he asked.
Mr Pawan Kalyan alleged that there were errors in the SSC certificates issued by the Education Department last year and said in order to avoid repetition the department tried to force the exams on students during these difficult times.
The JSP chief said the government’s willingness to fight the second wave was far from satisfactory. “Its failure has led to an increase in cases and a shortage of beds in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients,” he said.