KATHMANDU, July 22: The government has decided to hold Grade XII examinations in the physical presence of students. The examination, which was halted due to high risk of COVID-19, will be held in the physical presence of students from August 15. 

A meeting of the National Examinations Board (NEB) held on Tuesday decided to conduct the examination from August 15 to August 25, said spokesperson of the board Jung Bahadur Aryal.

In order to make the examinations safer in terms of health safety, the NEB has requested the Ministry of Education to give high priority to the students participating in the examination for the ongoing vaccination against COVID-19.

Students will have to take a written test of 100 marks in the examination, which will be conducted for three hours from 11AM to 2PM. "The examination of 375,000 candidates across the country will be conducted from the home center," said Aryal. “Arrangements have been made at the exam centers to follow health and safety standards.”

NEB Chairperson Chandra Mani Poudel said that this time the question papers will be sent both online and offline. He said that arrangements have been made to send question papers via email or other electronic means on the day of the examination to the centers that have access to online platforms.

"The government has sent a request to the Ministry of Health and Population through the Ministry of Education to arrange vaccines against the COVID before the examination," said Chairman Poudel. “The board will send printed question papers to the centers where online platforms are not convenient. Even in the examination hall, only one student is allowed to sit on a single bench. Students who are unable to take the exam due to COVID-19 can sit for the examination again based on evidence.”

A total of 4,335 secondary schools across the country are running Grade 11 and 12 classes which is why there will be the same number of examination centers this year. "There is a written test for 100 percent marks," said Chairperson Poudel. "The practical test of 25 marks will be taken by the school itself."

The examination coordination committee under the coordination of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) has been made more responsible to make the examination more dignified and systematic after the board decided to carry out examinations in home centers due to the risk of COVID-19.

“Just because it is a home center does not mean students and teachers can do anything. Students should demonstrate their skills, abilities and qualifications and teachers should also be honest about their profession,” Poudel told Republica.

Those who violate the rules of the examinations can be imprisoned for six months or fined Rs 100,000 or both.

 
• NEB
 
• Grade_12_examination