AP postpones intermediate exams after HC's request

Vijayawada: Following widespread demand from political parties and parents’ groups, the Andhra Pradesh government announced the postponement of intermediate exams, which was scheduled to start on May 5.

While Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had strongly defended conducting the exams as per schedule, the government gave in following pressure from various quarters, and an announcement was made by the Chief Minister’s office, on Sunday.

The announcement was made ahead of Monday’s hearing, in cases seeking postponement of intermediate exams. The court had suggested the government to consider postponing the exams in view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases. “It is better if we postpone the exams on our own, instead of waiting for the court’s verdict and implement it later in case the court favours postponement,” sources in the government told this newspaper.

Education minister Adimulapu Suresh stated that while intermediate examinations were scheduled to start on May 5, they had been postponed after the high court’s request to consider rescheduling, in view of the rising number of cases.  had requested the state government to reconsider proceeding ahead with the exams. “New dates for conducting the exams would be announced soon,” he said.

Suresh added that since the centre had not provided clear instructions regarding class 10, and intermediate exams, a few states had awarded pass certificates to all students while a few others went ahead with the exams. “Similarly, the AP government had also decided to conduct the exams, as both class 10 and intermediate grades play a vital role in a students’ career. However, as the risk of the pandemic had increased, and considering the high court’s suggestions, the government decided to postpone these exams.”