NIOS prepared to conduct exam soon after COVID-19 lockdown gets over

Uncertainty continues to loom over various examination due to nation-wide closure of educational institutions amid coronavirus scare
Students across India are worried over the uncertainty over the new dates for various entrance tests and board examinations. National and state boards such as Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), other state boards and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) have been directed to call-off their ongoing and upcoming examinations due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Boards have been directed to announce new dates for their examinations after the lockdown period will get over on April 14.
“NIOS, which was scheduled to start its annual examination from March 24, is in close coordination with the CBSE. We will decide on new dates to conduct annual exams once CBSE releases its new schedule. This will be done once the Board checks the availability of schools to use them as exam centres,” says CB Sharma, chairman, NIOS. Adding that NIOS is not worried about the disruption of the academic cycle due to lockdown and delayed examination as it follows an open and distance learning system.
“At this moment, we are not in a position to decide anything concrete,” says Sharma. He adds that NIOS will need a week-long time to coordinate with schools, get their consent and finalise the exam centres.
However, Sharma is a little apprehensive about the availability of schools as their delayed academic session may force them to call- off or shorten their summer vacation to compensate with the academic loss of their students. Despite the apprehension, he is hopeful of having a solution to this problem and ensures smooth conduct of the examination.