SSLC Examinations: Testing Times
Finally, the state government has decided to go ahead and conduct the SSLC examination, subjecting itself to one of the most crucial tests yet in office. More than eight lakh students are appearing for the examination being conducted in more than 3000 centres. The Department of Public Instruction has released a manual with guidelines on the safety measures students should adopt while appearing for the examination. This time, students are facing the specter of dual examinations – the textbook-based examination and the one induced by the coronavirus.
The government, on its part, has taken several precautions including providing free transport to students, but it is still not clear how successfully these measures can be implemented on the ground. Conducting the examination smoothly is the real challenge for the government. A failure to do so will make the government pay a heavy price in more ways than one.
From the perspective of students, they have had enough time and opportunity to make adequate preparations for the examination. But the fact that they need to appear for the examination in the backdrop of the coronavirus and the anxiety and confusion arising out of it is adding to their pressure.
Although the government claims it has left no stone unturned in ensuring a glitch-free conduct of the examination, doubts are being raised about its preparedness as many departments, with whose cooperation the examination is conducted annually, were shut down due to the lockdown. The possibility of conducting the examination itself was in doubt till very recently. Now, after the lockdown has been eased and the number of coronavirus infected persons has increased dramatically, the government is again contemplating imposing another lockdown. Public transport is not yet fully operational with the staff hesitating to report for duty.
Students and parents have many battles to contend with. Parents are caught in a bind having to choose between exams and the health of their children. Many parents who consider SSLC examination as a gateway to their children’s future might not hesitate to send the children to take the examination. Many others, however worried they are about the health of their children, are forced to make their children write the examination under peer pressure.
Regardless of the challenges that parents, students, and the administration grapple with, it is the duty of both the parents and teachers to make sure that children are equipped to handle the examination and the challenges of the coronavirus with ease. If students fail in the examination, they get a second chance. However, if they are unduly distressed or completely negligent about the coronavirus, the consequences could be disastrous.
It is a fact that students don’t have adequate information about the coronavirus and might be overly anxious, thanks to continuous sensational TV reportage. Having to face the anxiety over the Corona and the examination pressure at the same time can push students into a state of depression. The need of the hour is not only to create awareness about the coronavirus but also to prevent unnecessary anxiety around it. A student coughing or sneezing, a common occurrence during rainy season, should not trigger unnecessary fear. Maintaining social distance becomes the key now more than ever.
The role of parents in making sure that children do not harbor unnecessary fear cannot be emphasized enough. Parents who live in fear will not be in a position to create awareness in their children. Unnecessary fear can lead to both mental and physical health issues. It is also possible that children experience high levels of anxiety if one of their friends sitting close by coughs. It is the duty of parents to educate them about the virus, its symptoms, and its potency to harm us. It is equally important to convey that, despite taking all precautionary measures, if one comes in contact with an infected person, it might not have any undue repercussions. The infected person would be free of the infection in seven days, but it might affect students whose immunity levels are low. Appropriate and effective messaging about the coronavirus and its impact becomes significant.
But the most important factor is to ensure that any student who shows symptoms of Corona infection is taken care of at home and not allowed to appear for the examination and it is the sole responsibility of parents to do so. Hundreds of students die of suicide due to the pressure of SSLC and PUC examinations annually and this year, they are being tested twice over. The 2020 SSLC examination is not only a milestone for students but parents, teachers, and school managements as well and let us hope all of them emerge successful.
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Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued red alert for four districts in Kerala - Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Alappuzha - forecasting extremely heavy rainfall until May 21.
As heavy rains pose potential hazards, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has advised people to remain vigilant.
With expectations of heavy rainfall within a short timeframe, there's a risk of flash floods and urban waterlogging, particularly in low-lying areas. Landslides may also be triggered by prolonged rainfall. In light of this, authorities are urging residents, especially those in hilly and coastal regions, to exercise caution and stay alert.
The IMD has also sounded orange alert for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam district until Tuesday.
A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm). A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 and 11 cm.
Earlier in the day, the Idukki District Collector ordered a ban on night travel through the hilly areas of the district from Sunday until the red and orange alerts are withdrawn.
''Strict instructions have been issued to the District Superintendent of Police, Sub Divisional Magistrates, Regional Transport Officers, and Tehsildars to implement the ban effectively,'' an official statement said.
