Centre issues new guidelines for conducting exams in times of COVID-19 pandemic

NEW DELHI: The Health Ministry on Thursday issued fresh standard operating procedures to conduct examinations amidst the coronavirus pandemic, which involves following precautionary measures. "Examination centres are frequented by a large number of students, as well as their parents, and staff till the entire duration of the exam and therefore, it's vital to plan and conduct these examinations, while following specific preventive measures," said the Health Ministry.

The guidelines include ensuring physical distancing, use of face cover, frequent hand washing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers and following respiratory etiquette. It also involves strict practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing, self-monitoring of health by everybody, not spitting and reporting any illness at the earliest. Only those examination centres which are outside the containment zone would be allowed to function. Staff and examinees from containment zones will not be permitted.

"Such examinees shall be given an opportunity to undertake the examination through other means or the universities, educational institutions, agency may consider appropriate measures in this regard," the guidelines stated.

Universities, educational institutions and examination conducting authorities may plan out the examination schedule in a staggered manner so as to avoid overcrowding at any examination centre on any day.

"Keeping in view physical distancing norms, institutions should have adequate room capacity to ensure proper seating arrangement for the examination. Appropriate arrangements for personal protection gear like face covers, masks, and other logistic like hand sanitisers, soap, sodium hypochlorite solution etc. shall be made available."

Exam functionaries and examinees may submit a self-declaration about their health status at the time of entrance to the examination centre. Such self-declaration form may be circulated at the time of issue of admit tickets. Students should also be given prior information on what they should carry, which includes exam related documents, admit card, ID card etc., face mask, water bottle, hand sanitiser etc.

Adequate manpower shall be deployed by the institution for maintaining discipline to ensure observance to distancing norms and other preventive measures at all times during conduct of the examination.

Adequate number of registration rooms and manpower for document verification and recording of attendance shall be planned duly ensuring social distancing norms.

Invigilators and supervisory staff need to be briefed on the code of conduct in the context of COVID-19. The examination centre should have a designated isolation room for isolating any person who is found symptomatic at the time of screening or during examination, till such time medical advice may be sought. (IANS)

Also Watch: Special Trains from September 12: Here are the Details