T’puram: Following a meeting chaired by general education minister V Sivankutty on Friday, it was decided that the SSLC and Plus Two examinations in the Gulf region will be cancelled. The exams in the Gulf centres were suspended earlier on account of the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The meeting decided to explore alternative options to assess the academic performance of students, preferably by considering the marks obtained by the students in the model exams and term exams in the case of SSLC students, and the average of marks obtained by students in Plus One exams for Plus Two students. The decision to suspend the examinations, which is already behind schedule, was taken in view of reports that schools are unlikely to reopen in the Gulf region any time soon. Since the SSLC and Plus Two exams in Kerala were already over and the evaluation of papers is progressing, the high-level committee decided to explore alternative options. Since the model code of conduct is in force, the govt decided to first seek the permission of the election commission before announcing the decision. Other education boards have already cancelled Class X and XII examinations in the Gulf region.
