Offline school exams to begin tomorrow, parents worried

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, September 12

At a time when threat of third wave of Covid looms large, the education department’s decision to conduct offline exams for school students has left parents worried. Many of them are unwilling to send their children to schools and have already conveyed it to the authorities.

“As per reports, the third wave is imminent and we do not possess required facilities and infrastructure to deal with it. But, school authorities are compelling us to send our children for offline exams. I will not send my son at any cost,” said the father of a local student.

As per instructions, exams for Class VI to XII will commence from September 13. The timing for Class VI, VII, IX and XI students will be from 12 noon to 2 pm, and that for Class VIII and X will be from 9 am to 10 am (11 am for some papers). Besides, the exams for Class XII students will be conducted from 9 am to 11 am. Exams for Class III students will be held from 9 am to 10 am, for Class IV from 12 noon to 1 pm and for Class V from 10.30 am to 11.30 am.

The question papers for Classes VI to XII have been prepared by the head office and these will reach the school heads through the District Education Officers (DEOs). The exams will include questions pertaining to syllabus covered between April and August.

“We have made all required arrangements for offline exams. There won’t be any online exams. Our officials will ensure that Covid guidelines are implemented at exam centres,” said Sangrur DEO (secondary education) Malkiat Singh.

“Strict enforcement of Covid norms will be ensured in schools during the exams. We have directed all teachers to ensure proper sanitisation at schools,” said Sangrur DEO (primary education) Dharmpal Singla.