Strict COVID norms for Plus One exams in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has employed a slew of measures to ensure that COVID-19 protocols are followed when Plus One examinations begin in the state on September 24.

The development came following a review meeting chaired by Education Minister V Sivankutty on Monday.

As per the new measures, examination halls, furniture and school premises are to be cleaned and sanitised before September 22.

Students will be admitted to the hall only through one entrance. Every student must undergo thermal scanning and will be provided with hand sanitisers.

Students with high body temperature and those in quarantine would also have to write the exam in separate halls.

School authorities have to ensure that students wear masks and that social distance is maintained.

Students would not be allowed to share pens and calculators in the hall.

The officials have also said that uniforms would not be mandatory for students taking the exams.

The layout of the exam halls would be exhibited at the entrance to make it easy for students to identify their rooms.

Exams would not be held in air-conditioned classrooms.

Only well-ventilated and well-lit rooms would be used.

Non-teaching staff and PTA members too may be roped in to ensure that COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed.

The meeting also directed chief superintendents to provide PPE kits for COVID-positive students and invigilators.

They would be required to write the exam in separate halls.

Click here to view the exam timetable

The Minister had earlier said that the government is aiming to set Kerala as an example in the country by reopening schools.

“We had concerns before the SSLC exams and the higher secondary exams. But things went smoothly. After the High Court gave its approval, the Supreme Court also nodded approval for the conduct of plus-one exams. We want to set an example in India by opening up schools,” the minister said.

He also added that in the case of setbacks, the government was willing to course-correct.

Schools in Kerala are slated to reopen on November 1.

While offline classes for grades 1-7, 10th and 12th begin on November 1, classes for students of other grades begin on November 15.

Earlier, The Supreme Court had said that it will not interfere with the States' decision on reopening schools.

The judiciary had neither the data nor the expertise to pass "omnibus" directions to the States to open schools and resume physical classes, especially when the lives of children were at stake, a Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and BV Nagarathna said on Monday.

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