Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday slammed the transfer of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Chairman and Secretary, describing it as an act that "rubs salt on the wounds" of students who have been through a tumultuous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of board exams.
Kejriwal's Strong Reaction
In a series of tweets, Kejriwal expressed his anger over the decision, which he believes will further demoralize students and parents. "The transfer of CBSE Chairman and Secretary at this critical juncture is like rubbing salt on the wounds of students. The government should focus on resolving the issues faced by students rather than making such arbitrary decisions," he wrote.
Background of the Issue
The CBSE had recently canceled the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams for the 2020-21 academic year due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. The decision left millions of students in a state of uncertainty regarding their future academic prospects. The board had been under pressure to devise a fair assessment scheme for awarding marks.
The transfer order, issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, moved CBSE Chairman Manoj Ahuja and Secretary Anurag Tripathi to new positions. Ahuja has been appointed as the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Education, while Tripathi has been transferred to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Political Reactions
Kejriwal's criticism was echoed by other opposition leaders who accused the central government of mishandling the education sector during the pandemic. They argued that the transfer would disrupt the ongoing process of finalizing the evaluation criteria for students.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor also questioned the timing of the transfer, stating that it sends a wrong signal to the student community. "Instead of providing stability and clarity, the government is creating more confusion. This is not the time for such administrative changes," Kejriwal added.
Government's Stand
However, the Ministry of Education defended the transfer, calling it a routine administrative decision. Officials said that the transfer was part of a regular reshuffle and would not impact the board's functioning. They assured that the CBSE would continue to work on the assessment plan without any disruption.
Meanwhile, parents and student organizations have also expressed concern over the development. Many fear that the change in leadership could lead to further delays in the declaration of results and the admission process for higher education institutions.
The CBSE is yet to announce the detailed methodology for evaluating students. It has formed a committee to work out the modalities, which is expected to submit its report soon.
