Coronavirus: Karnataka postpones SSLC exams, fresh dates to be announced in April

Bengaluru: As the number of coronavirus cases surge in Karnataka, state Primary and Secondary Education minister on Sunday announced that the Karnataka Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations which were scheduled to begin from March 27 has been postponed. This decision comes as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  

According to a report on India TV, speaking to ANI Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar said, "Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations in Karnataka which were scheduled to start from 27th March have been postponed."

The SSLC exams are expected to be taken by over 8 lakh students.

Initially, the Department of Primary and Secondary Education had decided to take precautionary measures, including allowing children to write the examination with masks, keeping sanitisers in classrooms and changing seating arrangements to ensure that there was sufficient distance between the students.

However, the last exam of 2nd PU will be held on Monday as scheduled. The department had earlier announced the postponement of exams for classes 7, 8 and 9. The decision on these exams will be taken only after March 31.

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, schools and colleges in the state remained shut, IT professionals and other professionals working in air-conditioned places were advised to work from home. IT companies in the state have agreed to close their offices and have also allowed some employees to work from home in the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

So far, Karnataka has reported several cases of coronavirus out of which an elderly man died in Kalaburagi district.

Meanwhile in India, 324 positive cases of the deadly virus have been reported so far with the death toll rising to 5. 

• Coronavirus
• Karnataka
• SSLC exams
• postponed
• students