Conducting JEE, NEET examination is the best possible option at this point of time, says former education secretary

As the debate over the central govt's decision to conduct the JEE and NEET examination in September continues to rage, Anil Swarup, former secretary of the Ministry of Education, in an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat's Gautam Debroy defended the decision, saying that conducting the examination is the best possible option at this point of time.

New Delhi: Amid an ongoing debate over central government’s decision to conduct JEE and NEET examination in September, former secretary in the Ministry of Education, Anil Swarup told ETV Bharatin an exclusive interview on Friday that conducting the examination is the best possible option at this point of time.

“We have to look into the practical consequences like what are the options available before the government and which option is better! In such a situation there is no perfect solution, although we have to look at which solution is better. Let us assume that these examinations are postponed at the same time we don’t know what is going to happen with COVID henceforth and examinations may not take place at all. In that case, the whole year will be lost, that may not be a better option,” said Swarup.

He said that holding an examination taking all measures to prevent the spread of Covid19 is a better option. “In my view, it’s good to hold an examination. Or else I don’t think the government will be in a position to hold the examination for the entire session. Students may lose a year. This may not be the perfect solution but there is no other better option too,” he said.

Ever since the Ministry of Education has decided to conduct the JEE and NEET examinations in September, the opposition political parties have been demanding the government to cancel the examination given the fact of the prevailing Covid19 situation. As many as 11 Chief Ministers have appealed to the Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' opposing the central government’s stand.

“Whenever you look at a solution you have to look at the best possible solution. A perfect solution may not be possible at all. Here nobody is giving a solution, they are only asking for a postponement of examination. Yes, this is a problem but there could be more problems in future. And the government is trying to implement the best possible solution,” Swarup said.

He suggested that conducting online examinations could have been a better option, “but due to the scarcity of time online examination can’t be conducted now.”

“In fact, there is no time available for conducting online examinations. Has some actions been taken earlier for online examination with some online bank of questions…now it can’t be done. Had the initiative been taken six months ago or say at the onset of COVID! But nobody knows that COVID will last for so long. Like in the case of Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET)and Manipal Entrance Test (MET) some question banks are available. But for JEE and NEET, you can’t create question banks overnight,” he said adding “This can be considered for next year for conducting online examinations.”

Talking on the issues related to online examinations, Swarup said that even if the government has these question banks, “identification of locations is necessary, where a person can go and give his test. In the case of SET and MET it happens throughout the year. But for NEET and JEE it’s very sensitive. The centres need to be selected but if something happens in the centres, the government will be blamed.”

Interestingly, six non-BJP ruled states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Jharkhand approached the Supreme Court to revoke its decision. Earlier, the apex court has given its nod to conduct the examinations.

“Well Supreme Court can revoke the decision but what are the options. We have to look at the best possible option. People who complain against the decision, don’t suggest what is the way out. You can just say that this should not happen. But you should also suggest a better way out,” said Swarup.

The former education secretary said that COVID-19 has affected every walk of life including education. “It has thrown up good opportunities also. I remember when I was school education secretary, I was with the idea of conducting online examinations for JEE and NEET. But it did not materialize. Now the situation has arrived and COVID has forced us to think,” said Swarup who was also very vocal in support of digital education.

During his tenure as school education secretary Swarup also gave it a strong push.

“In fact, the movement for digital education was going on before I joined as education secretary. Yes, I gave digital education a push because I thought that technology can be a great game-changer. Now COVID has brought the opportunity. COVID has pushed us to believe that technology can be a way forward and help in the quality of education,” said Swarup.

When asked whether the government should open schools and educational institutions at this present scenario, Swarup said, “I would not suggest reopening schools and educational institutions at this point of time. I would suggest to wait for more time and carry on digital learning and online learning which is going on. Wait for a few months and re-open the schools.”