Nearly 4.5 lakh children, including 32,627 Kudumbashree Balasabha members, on Thursday took part in a novel online exercise that tested their awareness of COVID-19 and monsoon-related diseases.
‘Oru kunju pareeksha’ is fashioned as a four-part examination series – model, quarterly, half-yearly, and terminal examinations – that through questions and answers help create awareness of COVID-19 and how it can be prevented. The first of the exams on Thursday has been extended owing to the positive response from students. The quarterly examination will be held a couple of weeks later.
Besides firming up ways to prevent COVID-19 in students’ minds, it is also expected to equip children to decide how successfully the pandemic prevention measures are being implemented in their homes.
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The test
Links for Thursday’s exam reached Balasabhas in each ward through the Kudumbashree community and area development societies. Children were asked 25 questions on COVID-19 and monsoon-related diseases. The next examination will focus on prevention aspects. Children can appear for the online examination any time between 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.
Minister for Local Self-government M.V. Govindan, who inaugurated the awareness programme, said it would help create a healthy generation that was grounded in values. The examinations would not only help rid of the ennui that plagued children who were home-bound but also help generate more awareness of COVID-19, he said.
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