The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) has officially announced the cancellation of all remaining Higher Secondary First Year (Class 11) examinations for 2025. This decision was made in light of the upcoming Panchayat elections, which are scheduled to take place in two phases across 27 districts of the state. The elections are expected to continue until May 20, 2025.

Reasons for Cancellation

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu explained that the Panchayat election process requires the involvement of teachers for various duties, including training, polling, and vote counting. This has created logistical challenges, making it impractical to conduct the examinations during or immediately after the elections.

Impact on Students

Students who have already appeared for the March 2025 exams will be allowed to directly sit for the Higher Secondary Final Examinations in 2026. The board has assured that necessary measures will be taken to ensure a smooth transition for the affected students. Additionally, students and institutions may access the question papers of the cancelled exams for self-assessment and practice.

Mixed Reactions

The decision has elicited mixed reactions from students and parents. While some have welcomed the clarity provided by the announcement, others have expressed concerns about the disruption to academic schedules and the potential impact on students’ preparation for future exams.

Government’s Statement

The state government emphasized its commitment to minimizing the impact on students’ education. The board has also stated that institutions under investigation for previous breaches of examination protocol will not be allowed to access the question papers.

This development highlights the challenges of balancing administrative responsibilities with the need to maintain the integrity of the education system.