Bengaluru, Apr 14: The Karnataka government on Wednesday said it has not taken any decision on cancelling the State board 10th standard exam.

This comes against the backdrop of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) cancelling the 10th standard and postponing the 12th standard examinations due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.

The State Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar issued a statement saying: "The Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exam will take place from June 21."

The statement further said no decision like the CBSE has been taken.

However, keeping in view the situation in future, an appropriate decision would be taken, the Minister was quoted as saying in the statement.

Karnataka was among the few states, which had last year successfully conducted the 10th class and second year pre- university exams even when the coronavirus cases were at it peak.

But other States opted to give promotion to all the students.

The Karnataka government, particularly Kumar, has been maintaining that the 10th and 12th standard exams are crucial for the students' academic growth as the board exams decide their future.

The State had even arranged free transport for the students to reach the exam centres and reserved rooms for those who have tested COVID-19 positive to appear for the exam last year.

The initiative taken by the State government was widely applauded.

This year, however, the pandemic marred the academic activities of the children.

Though many children were able to attend online classes, many under-privileged children did not get the opportunity to get proper education this year.

According to Education Department, many girls were married off by their parents in north Karnataka while boys were forced to work as labourers as there were no classes.

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Jalna/Mumbai (PTI): Eight women labourers were killed, and three others were injured after a speeding truck rammed into a tempo on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district of Maharashtra on Wednesday evening, police said.

The incident occurred when a group of women was returning home after completing cleaning work on the expressway.

"A total of 11 persons, including the driver, were sitting in the tempo. As the vehicle was about to start, a speeding truck headed towards Mumbai rammed into it from behind at Kadvanchi village," a police official said, adding that seven women died on the spot and another succumbed in the Jalna government hospital.

The tempo was badly mangled, and the bodies were reportedly strewn across the road.

The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Admane (45), Laxmibai Madan (35), Meena Admane (45), Kanchan Admane (50), Tarabai Choudhari (60), Kadubai Madan (55), and Suman Admane (70), all residents of Jalna tehsil.

The identity of the eighth deceased is yet to be confirmed.

Three people are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Police have arrested the truck driver and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.

Expressing grief, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the death of eight people is extremely unfortunate, and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Fadnavis paid heartfelt tributes to the deceased and expressed solidarity with their families.

 

He said in a statement the injured have been immediately admitted to hospitals and the local administration is coordinating relief efforts.

The district collector and the superintendent of police are present at the spot, overseeing the situation, the chief minister added.

Environment Minister and Jalna District Guardian Minister Pankaja Munde has expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

In a condolence message, Munde extended her sympathies to the families of the deceased.