The National Testing Agency (NTA)has started conducting The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), with strict protocols amid the pandemic on Tuesday. Around 16 lakh students have registered for the examination from 660 centres across the country.
Before entering the exam halls, the temperature of students was checked and sanitizers were also provided. Candidates were seen standing in queues while abiding by the social distancing protocols.
While NTA and the central government was wilful to conduct JEE Mains and NEET, this move of the government amid the pandemic was questioned by many activists, opposition party and students. “It’s deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the Covid-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods”, tweeted Greta Thunberg, climate and environmental activist.
It’s deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the Covid-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) August 25, 2020
However, several candidates expressed apprehensions about their safety. Avya Sharma (18) a resident of east Delhi’s Krishna Nagar and a JEE-Main aspirant, said: “My father will pick and drop me to the centre since it’s unsafe to take private taxis. I will wear a mask and hand gloves, and carry a hand sanitiser. I am scared about my safety. My parents are asking me to maintain social distance norms. We cannot afford to miss the examination, despite the extraordinary circumstances.”
However, the government has been adamant, as it has argued that the aspirants’ academic year would be in jeopardy.
Beside JEE Mains, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical and dental scheduled on September 13.
