'Children of tender age can't be exposed to risk', SC stays Class 11 exams in Kerala

Observing the situation in Kerala as "alarming", the Supreme Court pointed out that the state accounted for more than 70% of cases of the country. The bench comprising of Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice CT Ravikumar was hearing a petition challenging Kerala High Court's refusal to intervene in the issue.

New Delhi:In the wake of surge in Covid cases in Kerala, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the state government's decision to hold offline exams for Class 11. The exams were scheduled to be held from September 6 to September 27. The court observed that the state government did not "seriously consider the prevailing situation before having physical exams."

Observing the situation in Kerala as "alarming", the SC pointed out that the state accounted for more than 70% of cases of the country. "Children of tender age can't be exposed to risk," SC said. The bench comprising of Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice CT Ravikumar was hearing a petition challenging Kerala High Court's refusal to intervene in the issue.

The state submitted before the court that it had successfully conducted SSLC and Class 12 exams where more than four lakh students appeared in April. All precautionary measures have been taken, the state said. Unconvinced by the state's stance, the SC opined that it should have considered the change in the situation since April.

"Assure us that no student will be affected. These are children of tender age." Further, the SC said that the state will be held accountable even if one student tests positive. The state failed to give assurance.

Recalling that, earlier, he served as the Chief Justice of Kerala HC, Justice Hrishikesh Roy made a remark that the state has one of the best medical infrastructures in the country. However, the state has not been able to contain the spread. In addition, the SC said students from different parts of the state would appear at one exam centre and it could result in the super spread of the virus. The state was directed to inform the SC about an alternate form of assessment by the next date of hearing.