Bhubaneswar: The Matric offline examination began with strict adherence to COVID guidelines at different centres in the state on Friday.
According to the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), total 15,155 students had registered for the examination. Of them, 6,596 students registered the High School Certificate (HSC) examination, 8,493 for Odisha State Open School (OSOS) and 66 for Madhyama examination in 504 centres.
Keeping the COVID situation in view, thermal screening facility has been made available at all examination centres. After the screening, the students were allowed to enter the centres. Besides, seating arrangements in the examination halls have been made to ensure social distancing.
While the campuses were thoroughly sanitised, Antigen test of all teachers were conducted earlier. It has been made mandatory for the students to wear masks during the examination.
The first sitting of the examination is held from 10 am to 12 pm. According to the schedule, the offline examination will be held from July 30 to August 5.
It may be mentioned that the BSE had decided to conduct the offline examination for the Class X students after several students alleged irregularities in marks awarded to them under the alternative assessment method.