STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Education Department will hold a meeting with 22 organizations and government officials to finalize its decision on HSLC (High School Leaving Certification Examination) and HS (Higher Secondary) examinations.
In the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said, "…The number of HSLC candidates is around 4.40 lakh and that of HS is around 2.50 lakh. Parents generally accompany their wards to the examination venues. Apart from them, there are teachers, cars and other vehicles that are supposed to teem with the examination venues. It will be a gathering of around 20 lakh, and the COVID-19 protocol doesn't allow it. Moreover, various studies made it clear that the COVID-19 infection in the age group 11-18 years is ten per cent. This is another factor that can't be ignored. Taking all these in view, besides the existing examination patterns in the State holding HSLC and HS examinations in the State doesn't seem to be a wise move."
It is to be noted that both the examinations were scheduled to be held on May 11. But due to the COVID situation, they were postponed. On the other hand, the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has cancelled both examinations across the nation.
Meanwhile, the SEBA and AHSEC have stated that they will conduct the examinations if the Health Department permits them. Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had stated that the examinations will be conducted if the COVID situation returns to normalcy.