Karnataka High Court Reinstates Board Exams Amid Legal Tussle
In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court has overturned a previous single bench order that had halted the Karnataka government’s plans to conduct board exams for students in classes 5, 8, and 9, in addition to already completed exams for Class 11 in schools affiliated with the State Board.
The division bench, comprising Justice K Somashekhar and Justice Rajesh Rai K, allowed the state’s appeal and directed the government to proceed with the remaining assessments for classes 5, 8, and 9. Notably, the exams for Class 11 had already been conducted amidst the ongoing litigation. Furthermore, the court instructed the state to engage in consultations with stakeholders before finalizing assessments for upcoming academic years.
The legal saga began when the Karnataka government issued notifications on October 6 and October 9, 2023, appointing the Karnataka School Examination & Assessment Board (KSEAB) to conduct the “Summative Assessment-2” exams. However, these notifications were contested, leading to a single judge quashing them. The subsequent Division Bench intervention stayed the Single Judge’s judgment. Following this, organizations representing private schools and parents filed special leave petitions before the Supreme Court, which temporarily halted the exams by setting aside the interim order.
In its appeal, the state government emphasized the educational benefits of conducting board exams, arguing that not holding them would compel schools to devise their own assessments, potentially compromising academic standards. Representing the State, Additional Advocate General Vikram Huilgol asserted that the notifications challenged by the single judge merely designated KSEAB as the competent authority for conducting the exams. He further highlighted a Government Order dated November 16, 2023, which reaffirmed the intention to hold board exams for classes 5th, 8th, 9th, and annual examinations for class 11th for the subject academic year.
The court’s decision underscores the significance of adhering to due procedure and engaging stakeholders in educational policy and assessment matters. With this ruling, the Karnataka government’s plans for board exams have been reinstated, providing clarity for the state’s educational landscape.
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