CBSE yet to take call on exams, but schools ready

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is yet to decide on holding the board exams, but the schools in the capital have prepared themselves to hold the tests.
From stocking up on sanitisers to ordering infrared thermometers and putting signage and marking boxes to maintain social distancing, the schools are not leaving anything for the last moment. Many have even prepared classroom plans.
On Tuesday, CBSE will submit its stand at the Supreme Court, which is hearing a public interest litigation filed by parents demanding cancellation of the exams in the wake of the rise in Covid-19 cases.
Another board, Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), has given options to its students to either appear for the boards or take the marks of the pre-boards/internal assessment.
Tania Joshi, principal of The Indian School, said, “In no way we are going to compromise the safety of the children. As I have less students appearing for the boards, I can keep around three children in a room.” If CBSE finally holds the examination, she will prepare circulars and instructions to be sent to the students and the parents, Joshi said.
A school in Rohini has put up hand washing stations on each floor, marked social distancing boxes on the premises and put up signage. Students will use their foot to operate “contactless” sanitisers. “We had prepared our SOPs in March itself, so we have taken all necessary precautions,” said Jyoti Arora, principal of Mount Abu Public School.
Modern Public School at Shalimar Bagh has installed face detection machines to check temperature and will also mark students’ attendance without physical touch. The shoes will also be sanitised at the entry. “Only three desks have been placed in a row. We also have isolation rooms. In case a child feels unwell, he can sit in that room and take the exam,” said Alka Kapur, principal of Modern Public School.
Government schools are also getting ready for the examination. “We have ordered masks for our children in case anyone does not have it. Sanitisers and hand washing facilities will be provided outside each classroom. In one class, not more than 12 students will be placed,” said A K Jha, principal of Government Co-ed Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Rohini Sector 8.
However, education minister Manish Sisodia had written to the Union human resource development ministry that it would be difficult to hold examinations in government schools as many of them were being used as shelters and food distribution centres during the pandemic.