The Kerala government has postponed the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Class-X and Class-XII board examinations scheduled at centres across the Gulf region due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. However, the examination schedule within Kerala will remain unchanged, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Monday.
A total of 633 students are registered to appear for the SSLC examinations across seven centres in the Gulf region. An equal number of centres have been designated for higher secondary examinations.
The postponement affects the SSLC examination slated for March 5, as well as the first- and second-year higher secondary and vocational higher secondary examinations scheduled on March 5, 6, and 7. The decision was taken following an urgent recommendation from the examination coordinator as a precautionary measure in view of the worsening regional situation.
The state cabinet is expected to ratify the decision formally, after which revised examination dates for the Gulf centres will be announced.
The minister said conducting examinations amid ongoing hostilities has created severe logistical challenges. He cautioned that further postponements remain possible if tensions continue and stressed that examinations would ideally be conducted only after a complete de-escalation of the conflict.
The postponement also impacts evaluation procedures. Since it will not be feasible to conduct the exams simultaneously in Kerala and the Gulf using the same question papers, the education department has decided to deploy separate question papers for the rescheduled Gulf examinations. Officials said one of the alternative sets routinely prepared in advance for each subject will be used.
Addressing concerns among students and parents, the minister assured that the general education department stands with those affected. Students who are unable to reach their designated centres due to the prevailing crisis have been advised to submit applications to the Director of General Education through their respective school heads.
The department has assured that each case will be reviewed on merit and that a sympathetic approach will be adopted to ensure that no student’s academic future is adversely affected by the ongoing geopolitical unrest.
Also read: Malayalam filmmaker booked in sexual harassment case
Follow us
