Karnataka HC allows govt to conduct board examinations of class 5, 8, 9, 11
Bengaluru: On March 7, a division bench of the High Court of Karnataka granted approval to the State government for the conduct of board exams to assess students in classes 5, 8, and 9. These exams are scheduled to commence on March 11, according to the approved schedule.
The bench, presided over by Justice K. Somashekar and Justice Rajesh Rai K, issued an interim order by overturning the judgment of a single judge made on March 6. The bench's decision followed an appeal by the State government challenging the single judge's ruling.
The earlier judgment had invalidated the State government's decision to hold board exams for classes 5, 8, 9, and 11 starting from the academic year 2023-24. The single judge had declared that this decision was made without adhering to the due process of law outlined in the Karnataka Education Act, 1983. Although the single judge had also annulled the government's decision to conduct annual exams for class 11 through the KSEAB, exams for the current academic year had already concluded on February 28.
The single judge emphasized that the government's scheme of conducting board exams lacked the necessary rules under Sections 22 and 145 of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983. These sections mandate the government to formulate rules for the examination system, involving input from stakeholders before finalizing such regulations.
The single judge had observed that when implementing changes to the examination system affecting a large number of students, it was both desirable and mandatory to follow the democratic procedure stipulated by law.
However, in its appeal, the Government argued that the revised assessment/exam scheme did not imply a complete overhaul of the examination system. Instead, it aimed to introduce academic discipline and uniformity in the State's education system by involving the KSEAB in conducting a specific component of the overall assessment.
The Government further contended that this was not a traditional board exam; the KSEAB set the question papers, and a distinct method was employed to evaluate the answer papers.
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BJP dreaming to win polls with money power: West Bengal BJP MLA after bypoll loss
Kolkata, Nov 23: As the ruling Trinamool Congress swept the by-elections in six assembly seats in West Bengal, Kurseong's party MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma attacked the state leadership, saying the party dreams of winning polls with money power and that it sidelines legislators and gives "unnecessary importance and responsibilities" to MPs.
The TMC retained five of the six seats it had previously won during the 2021 polls, while wresting the key Madarihat seat from the saffron camp in north Bengal’s Alipurduar district.
In a Facebook post, Sharma alleged, "The BJP runs a membership drive in West Bengal over the phone from a Kolkata office, while party leaders turn a blind eye to factionalism within the party. The party sidelines MLAs and gives unnecessary importance and responsibilities to MPs. It dreams of winning elections relying on money power. Despite having no shortage of political issues in the state, it centers its politics solely around religion."
"The BJP accuses opponents of corruption while carrying Adani and Ambani on its shoulders. It tries to undermine the rights of the indigenous population by luring Bangladeshi Hindus with promises of CAA. It halts MGNREGA funds and indulges in such tactics, hoping to win elections in the state," he alleged.
On the other hand, the BJP MLA lauded TMC saying, that the ruling party in the state, armed with 26 different "pro-poor schemes" such as Kanyashree Prakalpa, Gitanjali Housing Scheme, Krishak Bandhu Scheme, Nijo Griha Nijo Bhumi, Rupashree Prakalpa, Shishu Sathi Scheme, and Student Credit Card, quietly works at the grassroots level.
"Now, you decide who will win the elections. I have never seen a culture of self-criticism within the BJP; otherwise, this outcome wouldn't have occurred," he added.
Since the 2021 assembly elections, the TMC has won every by-election, except the Sagardighi bypoll in March 2023, which was won by a Congress candidate who later switched to the TMC.
With this victory, TMC's tally in the 294-member state assembly rose to 216, further consolidating its position. The BJP's tally, on the other hand, dropped to 69, from 77 in 2021.
