Amid rise in coronavirus cases, Karnataka to conduct SSLC exams from June 25

Karnataka so far has reported 9,721 cases and 150 deaths, according to the data by the health ministry. However, SSLC exams will be held in the state from tomorrow (June 25)  

Bengaluru: Amid the rise in coronavirus cases across the country, the Karnataka government on Wednesday (June 24) announced that the Karnataka education board will conduct the SSLC exams (Class 10th board examinations) from tomorrow (June 25) in the state.

Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exams that were earlier postponed will now be conducted on Thursday, said Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu.

News agency ANI quoted the state’s health minister who said that social distancing must be ensured and one has to wear a mask at all times.

Sriramulu also said that the students coming from the containment zones will be given special attention and will be carefully handled.

Sriramulu said that SSLC exams in Karnataka will be held tomorrow with all the necessary precautions. He said about 8,48,203 students will write the exam.

“SSLC exams to take place tomorrow. About 8,48,203 students will write the exam. Social distancing and mask are required. Minister of education and I have already held a lot of meetings. Students from containment zones will be carefully handled,” Sriramulu said.

Earlier, pro-Kannada activist and Kannada Chalavali Vatal party president Vatal Nagaraj on Tuesday staged a protest against the state government’s decision to hold the SSLC exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The protestors, including Nagraj, were later detained by the police.

Nagaraj was protesting outside the residence of primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar demanding to cancel the scheduled SSLC exam and pass all the students.

Meanwhile, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have cancelled the Class 10 exams and decided to promote the candidates to the next level in view of the pandemic.