Source: Times of India
With schools closed because of deteriorating air quality and concerns over the new Covid variant, Omicron, the education department has decided to hold the student assessment test (SAT) in a hybrid mode.
Education officers in every district were sent notices announcing the decision late on Saturday evening.
The department had initially planned to conduct the test entirely offline from December 13 and selected schools as exam centres. But last week, the government shut down all schools in four NCR districts of the state—Gurugram, Faridabad, Jhajjar and Sonipat — amid concerns over air pollution.
“We had decided to hold SAT offline when things were settling down and challenges of the new Covid variant and air pollution hadn’t emerged. Now, things have changed and it will be impractical to hold an offline test. So, SAT will be held in a hybrid mode and students will have the choice of whether to appear for an offline test or not. We have asked the district and the block education officers to inform all schools about the new directives,” said a senior education department official.
“The new variant has taken everybody by surprise. In such a situation, we cannot hold tests in a completely offline mode. Schools have been directed to take the consent of parents before allowing any student to take the offline test. Arrangements also need to be made to conduct the tests online,” an official said.
Also read: Schools in 4 NCR Districts of Haryana Shut until Further Notice due to Air Pollution
