SEBA all set to conduct HSLC and AHM exams

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Board of Secondary Education Assam (SEBA) is all set to conduct the HSLC (High School Leaving Certificate) and Assam High Madrassa (AHM) examinations by following the COVID-19 protocols, said SEBA Examination Controller Nayan Jyoti Sarma on Friday.

"Preparations are underway in full swing to conduct the examinations which will be held from May 11 to June 1. Along with extra initiatives for COVID-19, we have taken innovative measures for the conduct of the exams," said the Examination Controller while talking to The Sentinel.

He stated that a record 4.4 lakh candidates will appear in the metric examination this year. It is 88,000 more than last year, he added.

"While there were 860 centres last year, this year 878 centres have been selected for the conduct of the examinations. Along with the centres, 65 examination venues have been created," said Sarma.

The Examination Controller underlined that every year Rs 12 crore is spent to conduct the examinations. However, due to the COVID situation, this year Rs 13.10 crore will be spent i.e. Rs 25 per student.

In view of the pandemic, the SEBA will change the seating arrangements in the examination centres to follow the COVID protocol of social distancing. Moreover, the centres will have sanitizers, soaps, masks, and also healthcare units will be deputed. Every centre will also have separate examination rooms for candidates who have been infected with coronovirus.

"The attendance of students will be marked online. Every centre will be able to manage records of the students through a software," said Sarma.

He asserted that though the conduct of examinations has been delayed due to the pandemic, the SEBA will try to declare the results on time.

"After evaluation of the answer sheets, the marks will be registered online through a software which will be connected to the SEBA office. The answer sheets will be evaluated in 39 zones. Meanwhile, the process of sending blank answer sheets to exam centres is underway and it will continue till April 21. From April 24, confidential materials related to the examinations will be sent to different police stations. The process will be completed by May 4," the Examination Controller said.

Lastly, he said that the ASTC (Assam State Transport Corporation) is helping the SEBA to transport the examination materials. He added that the SEBA held meetings with APDCL officials to ensure that the examination centres do not get affected by power cuts.

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