Bengaluru: The Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations in Karnataka concluded on Friday with an overall average of about 98 per cent attendance amid the coronavirus scare. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa congratulated the lakhs of students who appeared for the crucial exercise braving the coronavirus pandemic situation.
An average of about 98 per cent of 8.5 lakh odd enrolled students took the exams which began on June 25, after the government stuck to its decision to go ahead with them despite rising coronavirus cases but laid down a string of safety measures, including face masks and maintaining distancing by seating only one student a bench.
Examinations for all main subjects had been completed and alternative subjects such as music would take place on Saturday, Education department officials said.
"I heartily congratulate students who faced the examination even during the coronavirus pandemic," Mr Yediyurappa tweeted.
Expressing happiness over the successful completion of the examination, he greeted state Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar, officers and employees of education department, health department, police and transport personnel.
"The exam is a proof that anything can be made possible if all the government departments work in tandem," Mr Kumar tweeted.
Later addressing a press conference, he said on Friday 98.10 per cent attendance was recorded compared to 98.76 for the same paper last year.
"Credit goes to children. First day, parents were scared and students were sceptical and there was a big challenge before us. But the children appearing for the exam instilled confidence. They came with masks, sanitisers and were careful about maintaining social distancing. Our children have set an example for others to follow," Mr Kumar said.
Lauding the students, parents and the government staff who made the exam possible ignoring the virus scare, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said Karnataka has set an example by successfully conducting the examination.
The Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board, which conducted the examination, faced various challenges. While protecting students from coronavirus infection was the top priority, transportation, security and convincing the parents to allow their children to take up the exam were the other factors it encountered.
According to sources in the department, the education officers had directed authorities of all the schools to call the parents and students to make sure that they appear for the examinations.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and boards of various neighbouring states either gave general promotion or decided to give marks to the students based on their performance in the earlier tests conducted by the schools.
The exams were conducted at a time when there was a sudden spurt in coronavirus cases in Karnataka, especially Bengaluru. Expressing apprehension, former chief minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy had appealed to the government to postpone the examination but the government went ahead with its decision.
Comments
Is your sermon ONLY RESERVED for SDPI? What about JDS- BSP alliance in Karnataka? Throughout India, NO SDPI contested, still communal BJP won. Stop this Fear psychosis and BJP DEMON Syndorme, congress has been using this decades. Really you want to win, Let congress join hands with secular, progressive, thinkers, social activists, let atleast 10 new voices we hear from the Assembly of Karnataka. This will be the real defeat of communal forces.
I am with you
I dont know when this SDPI stop their day-dreaming. SDPI...... you are just a small fish and don't try to swallow the big fish like Shark and Whale. First learn how to swim and then learn how to swallow the big fish. A very humble request to all the candidates of SDPI and its followers to stay in silent mode atleast for this Assembly election and for the General Election in 2019. Let we all jointly work to keep the saffron party away from Karnataka State and also in 2019 from India. Your intense behaviour clearly display that you are the agent of BJP same like MIM and other Muslim independent candidates working against CONGRESS. Only God can give you guidance to understand the need of the hour. Lets make our great nation INDIA: A secular Nation.
Congrats BJP for thier victory before fielding their own candidate. Very well planned
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