Just days to go for the exam, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court on Thursday gave a green signal to the state government to conduct summative assessments for classes V, VIII, IX and XI.

A bench comprising Justice K Somashekar and Justice Rajesh Rai K passed the interim order staying a March 6 judgment that had cancelled these exams. The interim verdict also questioned the correctness of the single judge’s verdict.

It may be recollected that week saw a back-and-forth decision on these exams after one of the private schools’ associations went to the high court opposing the government’s move to conduct these exams.

While observing that there was no interim order restraining the authorities from holding proposed exams during the pendency of petitions before the single judge, the division Bench added that in such circumstances, if the order is not stayed, it would prolong the present situation of uncertainty that would be detrimental to the student community virtually on the eve of their examinations.”

During the hearing, the bench noted that the state had already conducted these exams (assessments) for class XI and preparations had begun for the upcoming exams. This comes amid a controversy that the state is unwilling to provide answer scripts to students and that schools have been asked to arrange for it on their own. 

Also read: Karnataka: Court cancels state board exams for classes 5, 8, 9 and 11