The state higher secondary council has allowed schools “relaxation” in starting the HS practical exams, giving them the freedom to advance the schedule if there is a possibility that the premises will be taken over because of the Assembly elections, officials said.

The earlier order had asked the schools to conduct the in-person practical exams from March 10 to 31.

An official of the council said that as security forces were expected to enter the schools well before the start of the polls, the institutions have been allowed to modify the schedule depending on the situation.

A notice issued by Mahua Das, the president of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, on Wednesday said: “Now in respect of queries received from the schools, the council has decided to allow a relaxation in the starting date of the practical examination in those institutions, which will be used by the election commission of India for ensuing Vidhan Sabha election….

“In such cases the head of the institution may decide about conducting the examination on some earlier date as per their convenient schedule….”

The security forces use school buildings to set up base before starting patrol in a designated segment.

“Once the force takes control of the premises, the entry of the teachers, school officials and students will be disallowed. Practical examinations will have to be conducted before the force takes over a school,” a council official said.

The election commission announced on Friday that the polls would be held in Bengal in eight phases — from March 27 to April 29.

An official of the school education department said the central forces were expected to enter the school buildings of a specified zone at least a week before the polls.

“Each school has to find out on which day the particular area will go to the polls and plan accordingly in consultation with the council,” the official said.

In Bengal, schools had reopened on February 12 for Classes IX to XII. All campuses had shut down in March last year as a precaution against Covid-19.

One of the objectives behind lifting the closure was to allow Plus-II students in the science stream to get some hands-on training before writing the practicals. “If the exam dates are brought forward, the students will be denied the minimum preparation time,” said Saugata Basu, the secretary of the Government School Teachers’ Association.

Council president Das could not be reached for comment.