Karnataka High Court Allows Board Exams for Classes 5, 8, 9, and 11
Bengaluru : The Karnataka High Court has overturned a single bench order that had halted the state government's plans to conduct board exams for students of classes 5, 8, 9, and 11 in schools affiliated with the State Board.
A division bench comprising Justice K Somashekhar and Justice Rajesh Rai K allowed the state's appeal and directed the government to conduct the remaining assessments for classes 5, 8, and 9. The board exams for Class 11 had already been completed during the litigation. The court has also instructed the state to consult stakeholders before notifying assessments for upcoming years.
Earlier, the Karnataka government had issued two notifications on October 6 and October 9, 2023, appointing the Karnataka School Examination & Assessment Board (KSEAB) as the competent authority to conduct the "Summative Assessment-2" exams. However, these notifications were challenged, leading to a single judge quashing them. The Division Bench stayed the Single Judge's judgment, and subsequently, organizations of private schools and parents filed special leave petitions before the Supreme Court, which put a hold on the exams by setting aside the interim order.
In the appeal, the state government argued that board exams were in the students' interest and that not conducting them would necessitate schools to devise their own exams, potentially lowering standards. The Additional Advocate General, Vikram Huilgol, representing the State, argued that the notifications quashed by the single judge merely designated KSEAB as the competent authority to conduct the exams, and the Government Order dated November 16, 2023, actually declared the intent to hold board exams for classes 5th, 8th, 9th, and annual examinations for class 11th for the subject academic year.
The court's decision emphasizes the importance of following due procedure and consulting stakeholders in matters affecting education policy and assessments.
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Nation's prosperity key to individual progress: Mohan Bhagwat
Kochi (Kerala) (PTI): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said individual prosperity can be achieved only when the country is prosperous and secure.
He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a two-day convention of Balagokulam, a cultural organisation for students affiliated with the RSS, here.
Bhagwat said prosperity and security cannot be achieved in isolation.
"When the country is prosperous and safe, families too attain prosperity and security. When individuals work for the prosperity and safety of the nation, they too become prosperous," he said.
He added that people are often encouraged to contribute towards nation-building.
Referring to the youth, Bhagwat said there is often confusion over whether to focus on personal career growth or work for the country's development.
"There should be no confusion as career building and working for the nation are not contradictory. The key lies in choosing the right path," he said.
As part of the inauguration, Bhagwat offered floral tributes to Lord Krishna.
He also interacted with children participating in the Balagokulam event.
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