Students infected with Covid-19 and having mild or no symptoms, as well as students who come into contact with infected people, can sit this year's university entrance examinations.
Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Anek Laothamatas said yesterday that his ministry and the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) both agreed that these students should be able to take the exams.
"Measures will be taken to ensure maximum health safety for the public, in line with Public Health Ministry guidelines, with separate examination venues to be arranged for these students," Mr Anek said.
"Examination halls must be well-ventilated and students sitting the exams must be at least two metres apart from each other, while invigilators must wear masks at all times," he added.
Sirirurg Songsivilai, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, said a total of 177,853 students will sit the General Aptitude Test and the Professional Aptitude Test (PAT) while 155,282 will take nine national core-subject examinations under the Thai University Central Admission System this year.
The CUPT will arrange 212 examination venues nationwide, and separate exam venues will also be available for Covid-infected students who are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms, or students who have been in contact with infected people, Mr Sirirurg said.
Students must register for exams at least 24 hours in advance and must follow health precautions strictly, he said, adding they must arrive at venues in private vehicles or those arranged by public health authorities or exam organisers.
Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong said that over the past two years, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of life, including education, prompting education-related agencies to work together to ensure students' studies continue uninterrupted.
No students, including those with Covid-19 or suspected of having the virus, should be deprived of the chance to take exams that form part of the university entrance screening process, she said.