Centre must focus on vaccines, not exams: Manish Sisodia

In an exclusive interview to The Sunday Guardian, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia discussed a host of issues, including conducing class 12 examinations, Covid-19 and more. Excerpts:

Q: What solution do you see for the challenge of conducting class 12 examinations?

A: If we try to find a solution through law and traditions, then it is very dangerous; for, that would mean we have to conduct examinations no matter what happens. If we think as a country, as a family, then we have a solution. There are 1.5 crore children all over the country. It is not a big deal to vaccinate them. Today, Indian vaccines are for the youth up to 18 years; we should talk to doctors and health experts to find out whether the vaccines can be given to a child of 17.5 years of age or not. If they can get it, then 95 percent of the children are of the same age, and we can vaccinate them. You can bring a foreign vaccine. America has vaccinated

their children. Do not take the examinations until you get the vaccine.

Q: When the states met Defence minister Rajnath Singh on this issue, a lot of states seemed okay with the examinations with objective questions.

A: The Central government has put this option that objective type examinations in 20 subjects should be done; and instead of three hours, 90-minute examinations should be done. Now, whether the child comes for three hours or 90 minutes, the risk is the same. This can happen when the spread of Covid-19 has been checked and a vast population has been vaccinated. It’s a mistake on the part of the Central government to currently think about examinations and not vaccines.

Q: Why are most states ok with the examinations?

A: All states are concerned about children, but the remaining states have their own boards. They are taking their own decision there. The Delhi government does not have its own body. All our schools are dependent on the CBSC. But if we talk about the examinations, then everybody is in danger.

Q. Work from home is there, then why not examination from home?Chhattisgarh is going to do the examination this way.

A: This can also happen. One can learn from Chhattisgarh. It can be adopted to have examinations while staying at home.

Q: What will you do if the Central government fixes the date of the examinations?

A: We do not have any option. We are dependent on the CBSC. We will not go to court; we will do whatever the Central government decides. But when we were asked, we told them our opinion.

Q: There is also a problem about vaccines. You have written a letter today regarding vaccines to Dr Harsh Vardhan.

A: The Government of India is the only government in the world that is asking its states to bring vaccines from abroad. When the United States started making the vaccine in 2020, it was booked for its people. Many countries have done this; we sit with folded hands, suddenly the Central government wakes up in April this year and says that the state governments should take out global tenders. How will a state buy the vaccine; now we go to them, they say that they are talking to the Central government. Other countries of the world did not do this.

Q: Has Delhi benefited from the lockdown?

A: The lockdown has helped. But everyone has to be careful during the unlock period. Our preparation is complete. This time, children are also very much infected.

Q: What are your preparations for the black fungus?

A: It is a big problem. There is a shortage of drugs. Whatever quota of medicines we got, we have given to hospitals. Treatment has been provided in three hospitals.

their children. Do not take the examinations until you get the vaccine.

Q: When the states met Defence minister Rajnath Singh on this issue, a lot of states seemed okay with the examinations with objective questions.

A: The Central government has put this option that objective type examinations in 20 subjects should be done; and instead of three hours, 90-minute examinations should be done. Now, whether the child comes for three hours or 90 minutes, the risk is the same. This can happen when the spread of Covid-19 has been checked and a vast population has been vaccinated. It’s a mistake on the part of the Central government to currently think about examinations and not vaccines.

Q: Why are most states ok with the examinations?

A: All states are concerned about children, but the remaining states have their own boards. They are taking their own decision there. The Delhi government does not have its own body. All our schools are dependent on the CBSC. But if we talk about the examinations, then everybody is in danger.

Q. Work from home is there, then why not examination from home?Chhattisgarh is going to do the examination this way.

A: This can also happen. One can learn from Chhattisgarh. It can be adopted to have examinations while staying at home.

Q: What will you do if the Central government fixes the date of the examinations?

A: We do not have any option. We are dependent on the CBSC. We will not go to court; we will do whatever the Central government decides. But when we were asked, we told them our opinion.

Q: There is also a problem about vaccines. You have written a letter today regarding vaccines to Dr Harsh Vardhan.

A: The Government of India is the only government in the world that is asking its states to bring vaccines from abroad. When the United States started making the vaccine in 2020, it was booked for its people. Many countries have done this; we sit with folded hands, suddenly the Central government wakes up in April this year and says that the state governments should take out global tenders. How will a state buy the vaccine; now we go to them, they say that they are talking to the Central government. Other countries of the world did not do this.

Q: Has Delhi benefited from the lockdown?

A: The lockdown has helped. But everyone has to be careful during the unlock period. Our preparation is complete. This time, children are also very much infected.

Q: What are your preparations for the black fungus?

A: It is a big problem. There is a shortage of drugs. Whatever quota of medicines we got, we have given to hospitals. Treatment has been provided in three hospitals.