G.O. (Ms) No.379, COVID-19 Government Examination Standard Operating Procedure, 2020

What the government order covers

Government Order (Ms) No.379 dated 22 July 2020 from the Revenue and Disaster Management (D.M.II) Department approved COVID-19 precautions for providing government examination services. Standard 12 results had been declared on 16 July 2020, and students were permitted to visit schools from 24 July 2020 to 30 July 2020 for provisional mark certificates and applications relating to answer scripts.

The arrangements covered:

• Distribution of provisional mark certificates.
• Applications for scanned copies, re-totalling and revaluation of answer scripts.
• Later collection of scanned copies, revaluation or re-totalling results, and printed mark certificates.
• Participation of teaching and non teaching staff needed for the work.
• Services for private candidates through private examination centres.

Printed mark certificates were to be distributed later. Provisional and printed mark certificates for Standard 11 and Standard 10 examinations were also to be issued after their results were declared.

Who must follow the procedure

The Standard Operating Procedure approved under Government Order (Ms) No.379 applies to students, private candidates, parents, teachers, other personnel, Head Masters, school managements and examination centres involved in these services. It contains no provision concerning ownership, sale, registration, classification or administration of land.

Main safety requirements

Schools and examination centres were required to implement the following measures:

• Give students or parents pre-assigned time slots, with no more than 20 called during a one-hour slot.
• Delay visits by people in containment zones or undergoing travel quarantine until the restriction ended.
• Require face masks, social distancing and marked queue positions.
• Prevent gatherings and students lingering on school premises.
• Provide separate rooms and online facilities for answer script applications and collection.
• Disinfect premises, furniture, doors, windows, handrails, toilets and wash areas daily before work began.
• Provide soap, running water and hand sanitiser at entry, exit and other required points.
• Require handling staff to disinfect their hands before touching certificates or forms.

Responsibility for compliance

Government Order (Ms) No.379 makes each school management responsible for maintaining its premises to the stated standards. Head Masters were responsible for enforcing the guidelines, ensuring masks were used, preventing gatherings and carrying out frequent compliance checks. Employees, teachers and students were also required to wear identity cards at all times.