The latest news of the upcoming ICSE and ISC exams and the requirement of students required to be vaccinated has created a ripple of confusion, hassle and discussion. It has been headlining the news for an extended time and has been catching both political and social attention.
The ICSE and the ISC exams start the second round of exams from April 25th.The schedule follows with the ICSE semester 2 exams being continued till May 23, while the ISC semester exam will conclude on June 13.
Numerous students appear in these exams annually, challenging themselves academically and mentally in the hopes of securing better future prospects.
What are the ICSE and the ICSs?
The ICSE and the ICS are a competitive, annual exam introduced by the Council for the Indian Schools Certification.
The council recently announced the guidelines concerning the pandemic for the upcoming qualifying exams of grades 10 and 12 respectively.
These exams are highly decisive of future educational prospects, especially the ISC (Indian School Certificate), a review done by the Board for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for Grade 12.
In order to qualify these exams, a passing percentage of a minimum 33 percent is required.
Failure to meet compliance will permit the candidates to appear in the compartmental exams in any one subject of given choice, provided the candidate upholds clearance in English, along with three more subjects.
COVID and The Savior Vaccine
The virus hit us around the end of 2019 and spread almost rampantly, claiming millions of lives, increasing the mortality risk and putting everything at halt.
It brought many changes in the current systems, implied modifications and demanded restructuring of many policies.
Towards the end of 2020, the world rejoiced as the vaccine was gradually released and the effect and recovery rate started improving.
However, a vast population is still unvaccinated and even with the vaccination, it is still important to most ardently follow the COVID precautions.
ICSE guidelines for COVID-19
1. Students must maintain social distance from the main school gate to the examination hall.
2. They are required to enter or exit from the exam hall in a staggered manner in order to avoid crowding.
3. Students must use face masks/cover and carry their own hand sanitizer.
4. Students are required to bring their own writing stationery and avoid sharing the same with other candidates.
Varsha Gaikwad’s tweet and the unvaccinated India
Amidst the widespread of COVID, all constituents of life high and behold have been affected. Whilst some show up as health hazards, others do so as social hazards.
Consequently, this pandemic has been the most challenging thing for the world in all specters; economic, medical, social and political.
Gaikwad, the Indian cabinet minister, tweeted in response to the statement, called it a discrimination against the unvaccinated to withhold appearance rights in the ISCE and the ISC exams from those who did not receive the vaccination for the deadly virus.
Many are concerned for the vaccination progress after Gaikwad’s tweet as it remains an arguable statement whether the unvaccinated did not get their immunization as a result of choice or circumstance and hence the topic stays on table for hot debate.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE AN UNVACCINATED CANDIDATE - The DO’s and DON’Ts
Stay safe and healthy
Minimize contact with people, take necessary precautions in gatherings and public. Wear a mask and carry a sanitizer with you. Sanitize and clean equipment and avoid sharing with others.
Wash your hands often to ward off unwanted viruses and bacteria. Keeping safe is the only way of keeping others around you safe.
Zoom your way to your friends
Take a new approach to study groups. Use online apps like Zoom and MS Teams, that have study groups online and resource information through different channels.
Remember that its necessary to have conversations with your peers. Learn and take learning. Address mutual concerns and challenges, be a support system for each other and agree on immutable goals.
Have a healthy diet
It is important to stay healthy and active. Exercise daily, take proper nutrients and maintain a healthy diet. Do not exhaust yourself and use your energy in a meaningful academic investment.
Get tested regularly
Better safe than sorry! It is always important to carry minimal proof of you being unaffected by the virus. Get a PCR before your exams and follow a healthy routine.
Plan smartly
Since the exams are merely days away, plan smartly. Don’t cram too much new information at once. Take breaks while studying, eat healthy, exercise and have plenty of sleep.
Make a schedule and set goals and deadlines on daily basis.
Declutter, don’t panic
No last minute hassles! Revise what you already know, trust your learning and ace that exam with confidence!
ALL THE BEST!
