Odisha class X offline exam starts today following Covid rules

BHUBANESWAR: Class X students not happy with the the board results published through alternative assessment, will appear for the offline matriculation exam, starting from Friday. As many as 15,136 students will appear for the exam in 504 centres across the state. Students will appear for the exam following Covid guidelines while flying squads will check adherence of safety protocols in exam centres.
“The preparations for the offline Class X board exams are over. All safety measures have been taken to ensure safety of children and examination centres have been asked to follow the standard operating procedures strictly. We are hopeful that the results of students appearing in offline mode will be declared on time so that students can take admission in Class XI without delay,” said school and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Dash. The exams will conclude on August 5.
Due to a surge in Covid cases during the second wave, the state government had cancelled the Class X board exams conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, and later gave marks to students based on an alternative assessment system developed by the board. Class X results were announced on June 25. However, many students were not happy with the results they got and demanded recalculation of marks. The board refused to give in to their demand and asked them to appear for the offline exam.
Board president Ramashish Hazra said all those engaged in exam duty had undergone Covid test. “Necessary instructions have been issued to all teachers and staff who are engaged in examination duty to ensure that all Covid-19 guidelines are strictly followed. Special squads at district level have been constituted to ensure that there is no violation of Covid protocols. Observers have been sent to all examination centres to monitor preparations,” said Hazra.
Board officials said no one can carry mobile phones inside the exam centres. “The restrictions will be applicable for teachers and other staff deployed at the centre. Students will undergo thermal scan before they are allowed into the exam centre. Wearing masks and other social distancing norms will be strictly followed,” Hazra added.