Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ addressed Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) students through a live session today (January 18, 2021). The Minister inaugurated KV Andrews Ganj, New Delhi. Read the details below. 

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal conducted a webinar during which he addressed the students of Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country, responding to their queries on NEET 2021, JEE Main, reopening schools, revised syllabus of Board Exams and impact of National Education Policy approved by the central government in 2020. The webinar is streamed live through official Twitter and Facebook account of the Minister. 

Students were dubious about several aspects since the Education Minister announced CBSE Class 10, 12 exams 2021 commencement dates on December 31, 2020. The exams will begin from May 4, 2021, through July 10, 2021, however, the board did not release complete datasheet yet. 

CBSE 2021 practical exams will be held from March 1, for both Classes 10 and 12 and results will be out by July 15, 2021. After this announcement, parents association filed a plea asking to scrap physical exams for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2021 in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition urged to conduct CBSE Board Exams 2021 for Class 12 in online mode or by open book method. However, Delhi High Court dismissed the plea. Court asked Central Government and CBSE to consider the petition as a representation of a matter being withdrawn.

Subsequently, students had several queries that required constructive solutions. The board is yet to release the detailed datasheet and schools have therefore preponed CBSE 9th,11th exams. 

Stream Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal’s Live Session from KV Andrews Ganj: 

Earlier, the Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ had tweeted about a virtual interaction with the students of Kendriya Vidyalaya to encourage them to continue with academics despite the disruption that COVID-19 pandemic has dawned on school education.

A senior official of the Education Ministry informed, "The Education Minister is likely to give tips about the changes in post-COVID pandemic school education. He will also encourage Kendriya Vidyalaya students to learn through Diksha App that is very much informative for the students."

The official added, "During interaction with students Education Minister Pokhriyal will educate students on how to utilise technology in their education to make brighter careers. Earlier, mobile phones and television were the sources of entertainment but COVID -19 pandemic has given an opportunity to use them as a powerful skill for an education platform.”

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal’s Live Session with KV Students: Read Updates

2:50 PM: CBSE Board Exam to be Based on Revised Syllabus; JEE, NEET UG 2021 on Full Syllabus

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has announced in the live webinar announced that upcoming CBSE Board Exams will be completely based on the revised syllabus whereas JEE Main and NEET UG 2021 to be based on the complete syllabus.

2:26 PM: JEE Main 2021 First Session Exams in February

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2021 will be conducted from February 23-26, 2021. The subsequent sessions will be scheduled in March, April and May 2021. 

2:15 PM: Kendriya Vidyalaya Students Demand Doubt-Clearing Sessions

Students asked for remedial and doubt-clearing classes so that they can prepare well for exams. "Sir please try for schools to only take remedial classes and doubt clearing classes instead of regular classes. And please cancel the offline exams that the schools are trying to take the preboard exams". 

2:07 PM: Education Minister states the importance of Hackathon

The minister said, "India has created various toys which reflect our history, and culture. The new electronic toys may harm the kids mentally or sometimes physically as well. Toys must be based on cultural values and factual information". 

1:51 PM: Education Minister Pokhriyal Responds to Students asking, “Will the Left Over Syllabus Be Asked in Next Session or Competitive Exams?”

One of the students asked that "Will we be asked questions from the reduced syllabus of CBSE be asked in competitive exams". 

The Minister said, "The students will only have to study the revised syllabus for their CBSE board exams and other exams based upon CBSE board syllabus 2021. The questions will only be asked from that portion". 

1:47 PM: Education Minister Declares for Conducting Online, Offline Classes

Union Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Minister said that classes will be conducted in both online and offline mode. Additionally, half the students' strength can be permitted to attend physical classes. The remaining students will attend online classes.

1:45 PM: KV Students begin Asking Questions

Students of Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country are live and interacting with the Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal in online mode. 

1:42 PM: Education Minister Announces Reopening Kendriya Vidyalayas in Phased Manner

Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal announced, the central government will reopen KVs in a phased manner for students of one class.

1:38 PM: Education Minister Throws Light on Mental Health Concerns of Students 

One of the students, Nisha Shukla from Ahmedabad, said: "she misses her friends and feels lonely".  To which, Union Education Minister responded, "We have introduced 'Manodarpan' platform to help the students by improving their mental health. It was done to improve the mental status of students.

Then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started Fit India for physical fitness.”

1:32 PM: Education Minister Asks Students Not to Be Afraid

He said, "We have successfully conducted the NEET 2020, hence students need to worry about the fears surrounding exams and must appear for their papers without any tension". 

1:32 PM:  KV Student questions on travelling concerns amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The student said: "Kindly help to alleviate our fears surrounding travelling to exam centres amid COVID-19"

1:29 PM: Education Minister Clarifies on NEP 2020 Impact on School Students

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal responds to a query from a student's query on importance of NEP 2020 and its impact on school students saying, "The National Education Policy will combine the book knowledge with vocation training for school students". 

1:26 PM: Kendriya Vidyalaya’s 'Shiksha Samvad' Rolls Out

Kendriya Vidyalaya of Andrews Ganj, New Delhi starts 'Shiksha Samvad' to address students who have been asking their doubts to Education Minister. 

1:23 PM:  Education Minister says, exams were not cancelled due to COVID-19

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' pointed out, the government didn't scrap any national-level exam because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

1:18 PM: KV Education Policies Should Be Exercised at Grassroot Level: Education Minister

Union Education Minister said, "We will ensure that the education policies of Kendriya Vidyalayas are replicated at the grass-root level as well". 

1:15 PM: Education Minister says, National Education Policy will transform people

Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal highlighted the importance of National Education Policy as it aims to transform the education sector of India and hence transform every student and peoples’ lives in future.  

1:03 PM: Union Education Minister Seeks Feedback on NEP 2020

Union Education Minister 'Nishank' explained the reason to include mother tongue in both school and vocation education and importance of school-level internships. He sought the feedback of students and teachers on the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). 

12:53 PM: Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Interacts with Students 

Education Minister addressed the students stating every individual had to deal with protecting their families amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He lauded teachers and students who showcased their grits in dealing with the sudden challenges posed in school education and focussing on online teaching.

12: 52 PM: KV Commissioner Nidhi Pandey Addresses Students

Commissioner Nidhi Pandey says: 

 "Teachers have been with you throughout the year adopting and adapting to the new changes. COVID-19 taught the meaning of hygiene in our lives and how important it is to maintain cleanliness. Whenever there is a difficult situation, we all come together to solve it. "Teachers have also enabled to keep the students together."

12:39 PM: KV Students Perform at the Launch Event

Kendriya Vidyalaya students performed classical dance and prayer songs. Then they performed choreographed yoga asanas to the hymns of Guru Vandana. 

12:34 PM: Education Minister Inaugurates KV Andrews Ganj 

Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal inaugurated the event at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Andrews Ganj, New Delhi. After lighting lamps, students sang prayers at the Inauguration event.