Kathmandu, July 28: The House of Representatives, Education and Health Committee has directed the government to ensure that the Class 12 examinations are conducted only by following the health safety protocols.    

The committee issued this directive following a discussion today on 'conduction of examinations including Class 12 examinations amidst COVID-19 pandemic'.    

Committee president Jayapuri Gharti said the exams should be administered only after making arrangements for keeping doctors, nurses and medicine at the exam centre. She added that the health safety standards should be fully followed and the separate classroom should be managed for the infected candidates.    

The National Examinations Board (NEB) is administering the Class 12 examination on August 15. Four hundred thousand candidates are sitting for the exams at 4,335 exam centres.    

Committee members Girirajmani Pokharel, Bidya Bhattarai, Man Bahadur BK, Man Kumari GC, Anjana Bishankhe, among others, suggested the government conduct the examination by putting in place all measures to protect the students from the infection.    

In the meeting, Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ram Prasad Thapaliya said the examination would be conducted as per the suggestions of the committee. He said although teaching-learning is being conducted through virtual means, it was not found effective in remote rural areas due to internet issues.    

NEB member-secretary Durga Prasad Aryal said a separate home centre has been managed for the infected candidates. He added that those candidates who will not be able to sit for the exam this time can appear for the exam next time.