The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday released a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) on how to conduct tests in the midst of a global pandemic, stating that students with cold, cough, fever or other symptoms of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) should be given a chance to sit for their exam on another day, or at the very least be made to sit in another room to write the paper.
The UGC, which has mandated that all varsities hold final year exams by September 30, said that a minimum distance of two meters between candidates should be maintained, and invigilators should wear masks and gloves.
In a letter to all 40 central varsities sent out on Wednesday, the UGC said that the Human Resources Development ministry had formulated the SOP, and it has been vetted by the Health ministry.
The SOP clarified that in areas where movement is restricted such as in containment zones, students’ admit cards or student identity cards could double as travel passes. States should issue instructions to ensure that invigilators are issued passes as well, it stated.
Exam functionaries would have to submit a self-declaration form about their health status and thermo-gun checks should be made available at all entrances. In case any functionary fails the self-declaration criteria or the thermo-gun check, they should be asked to leave the exam centre immediately.
There should be signs on social distancing in the campuses of exam centres, and the SOP recommended that everyone involved in the exam process use the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones.
{{/usCountry}}There should be signs on social distancing in the campuses of exam centres, and the SOP recommended that everyone involved in the exam process use the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones.
{{/usCountry}}The SOP further said that all floors, gates, walls, doors, furniture, elevators and even staircase railings in an examination centre would have to be disinfected. Sanitisers and liquid handwash dispensers would have to be placed at the entrance and other places in the exam centre.
Crowds must be avoided at entrance and exit points, the SOP said. It further stated that records of exam functionaries and students should be maintained in case contact tracing needed to be done in the future.
COVID-19 has played havoc with the academic year. In a move backed by Human resources development minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, the UGC decided that exams were a must for all final year students.