Thiruvananthapuram: With the SSLC, Plus Two examinations set to begin on May 26 in Kerala, the state government is making all-out efforts to ensure strict norms to safeguard students in the backdrop of a recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
The government has ordered 5,000 thermal scanners for the 3,000 examination centres in the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed on Friday.
Kerala recorded 42 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, the single biggest spike in a day after the first case in the state, and also the country, was reported on January 30.
Teachers have been asked wear gloves at all times. The schools will be disinfected with the help of Fire and Rescue Services department.
A medical check up will be undertaken for students after the thermal scan, if necessary.
On returning home from the examination, students have been asked to take a shower. They should interact with the family members only after this.
Students returning from other states need to undergo a quarantine of 14 days. Special provisions have been made for these candidates and also students appearing for exams from home quarantine.
Students from hotspots will write the examination in a separate room.
Arrangements are being made to change the examination centre of 10,920 applicants, who filed a request for the same.
Provisions have been made for students in United Arab Emirates and Lakshadweep, the CM said.
Students unable to write the examination during this time span may write the Save a Year (SAY) examination as regular students. SAY examinations are held every year for students who fail to secure pass mark in certain subjects.
Transportation
The Kerala government has also directed head teachers to ensure transportation for students appearing for the SSLC, higher secondary and VHSE exams. The general education director has instructed all head teachers to arrange for the transportation with the help of class teachers.
They can seek the services of private vehicles, public transport, school bus, and vehicles of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
They can also coordinate with local bodies, scheduled caste department or use the transportation services of the nearby school.
If the schools are unable to arrange for transportation in this manner, they can hire a vehicle using special fee and PTA fund.
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will conduct services to those schools that do not have own vehicles. Only half the ticket fares will need to be given.
However, the KSRTC still does not have permission to conduct inter-district services.
Around 13 lakh students will be writing the SSLC, higher secondary and VHSE exams.
Enquiries
The public may contact the General Education Department's War Room for any enquiries on the examination. The war room will be operational from 8am to 8pm.
Contact number: 0471 2580506
WhatsApp Number: 8547869946
SSLC: 8301098511
Higher Secondary: 9447863373
VHSE: 9447236606
Mail: examwarroom@gmail.com
