Karnataka: SSLC exams from June 25; PUC English paper on June 18

BENGALURU: Ending a wait of more than two months for students, Karnataka on Monday said SSLC exams would be conducted between June 25 and July 4 while the second PUC English paper will be held on June 18.
Following a meeting with CM BS Yediyurappa, primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar said there would be a day’s gap between the SSLC papers. Around 8.5 lakh students will appear for the SSLC exams and special provisions are being made to ensure their safety, he said.
“We will be using 43,720 rooms in 2,879 buildings across the state to conduct the SSLC exams. Even private buildings will be hired to ensure social distancing during the exams. All students have to wear masks compulsorily and sanitisers will be provided at exam centres. Screening will also be done. All centres will be disinfected before each exam. A special room will be reserved for children who are unwell but still willing to write the exam,” he said.
Class 10 & 12 board exams from July 1-15, says CBSE
The Central Board of Secondary Education on Monday announced the datesheet for the pending Class 10 and 12 board exams, which will now be held from July 1-15 with strict distancing norms in place. While Class 12 exams will be conducted across the country, the Class 10 exams are only pending in northeast Delhi.
Govt will ensure transport facilities for SSLC students
A reorientation programme would be held for the examinees through Chandana TV channel, he added, since they had suffered tremendous stress over the long waiting period due to the lockdown.
The SSLC exams were scheduled from March 27 to April 9 while PU English paper was to be held on March 23.
Kumar said the government will ensure adequate transport facilities for students appearing for the exams. Bharat Scouts and Guides volunteers will be roped in to supply masks to the examinees. Ramakrishna Mission will supply 2 lakh masks in Bengaluru South region and Ramanagara. The Embassy group has offered to provide sanitisers.
Nearest exam centre relief for many
The state education department has made special provisions for students staying in Morarji Desai residential schools, social welfare department hostels and SC/ST students’ hostels which have been converted into quarantine centres.
“These students along with the children of migrant workers, who have either gone back home or dispersed, will be allowed to register at the nearest school from their present place of residence and appear at that centre for the exams,” said school education minister S Suresh Kumar. The last date of registration is May 25. The department is still collating the number of students who have been displaced due to the pandemic and lockdown.