Call for deferring SA-2 exam in view of Ugadi, Id holidays

Parents and teachers have urged the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) to postpone or reschedule the Summative Assessment-2 (SA-2) annual exam for classes 6 to 9, which is now scheduled to be held from March 20, accounting for a series of holidays, including Ugadi and Id-ul-Fitr festivals.

The SSLC examination will begin across the State from March 18, and there is a government holiday on March 19 due to Ugadi. There is a ‘Varshatodaku’ on March 20, a holiday on March 21 due to Id and a Sunday holiday on March 22. There will be no exam for classes 6 to 9 students on Monday, March 23.

The DSEL is conducting the SA-2 for students of classes 6 to 9 of all government schools following the State curriculum for the year 2025-26. The SA-2 aims to understand the learning issues of students and follows a similar schedule across the State. The committee setting up the schedule had earlier suggested dates for the exam from March 24 to April 6, considering the SSLC examination, religious festivals, and government holidays, and submitted a report to the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT). However, this was rejected and a new schedule from March 20 to April 4 was prepared and published on the DSERT website.

Stakeholders opposed

Various stakeholders, including parents and teachers, have opposed the schedule.

“Our high school on the outskirts of Bengaluru city has 70% migrant students. Most of these children are students from different districts of North Karnataka region and will be going to their hometowns with their parents for the Ugadi festival. There are holidays on four days after March 20. Therefore, it will be more convenient if the exam starts later. Many parents are requesting that the exam be postponed,” said the head master of a government high school on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

“This year, the Ugadi festival has come a little early. Previously, exams were over by Ugadi. So, no students went to school on the Varshatodaku of the year. This year too, we have gone home for the festival. So, instead of the department spoiling the celebrations, it would be more beneficial if the exams were postponed,” said Nagamma, a construction labourer in Bengaluru, hailing from Raichur district.

“The authorities should take into account all these (festivals and holidays) while preparing the examination schedule. There is no point in holding the examination for a day between festivals and holidays. It is permissible to hold the examination on any other day except on the Varshatodaku. Therefore, the examination scheduled for March 20 should be postponed. This matter will be brought to the attention of the School Education Minister,” said Umesh G. Gangavadi, State president, School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC).