The remaining board exams had to be postponed due to the nationwide lockdown which has been imposed since March to contain the spread of coronavirus. Strict precautions are being followed while conducting them.
2945 centres across the state are being disinfected by the Fire force. The students have to maintain social distancing, proper hygiene and wear masks provided by the education department.
Students were asked to go through thermal screening at the entry point. A separate room was reserved for those with mild flu-like symptoms.
20 hotspots in Kerala had exams conducted. This was done since exam centres could not be changed after being finalised. A sanitised corridor was prepared for those who have come from hotspot areas.
"Due to practical difficulties, the exam centres were not shifted as the number of hotspots change each day, it would be practically difficult to change the centres as per the dynamic changes of containment zones in the state," a senior official of the education department said.
It was indeed a new experience for students as they were completely new to wearing masks, sanitising hands while giving exams and sitting afar even before the tests began. The usual hustle with pre and post-exam discussions had to make way for social distancing norms and a very quiet environ.
Over 4,78 lakh students sat for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate examination while Vocational Higher Secondary School examinations were given by 56,345 students. Exams for higher secondary school will be conducted from Wednesday. The examinations will continue till May 30.
The invigilators were seen wearing triple-layer masks and gloves. Health officials were present at each centre and after exams, all furniture and classrooms had to be sanitised.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is providing buses for students who have to come from bordering states to give their external assessments. They need to register online to avail the service and will have to undergo a mandatory 14- day quarantine after arrival.
(With agency inputs)
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