Vacation unlikely for colleges, univs

With TN Set To Extend Lockdown, Educational Institutions Have To Rework Schedules

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.04.2020

Students and teachers of colleges and universities in Tamil Nadu are unlikely to enjoy a summer vacation this year. With Tamil Nadu set to extend the ongoing lockdown until the end of April, educational institutions are busy preparing to hold practicals and end-semester exams after the lockdown is lifted and there may not be enough time after that for a vacation.

Schools and colleges in the state have been closed since March 17 to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Extension of lockdown will affect summer vacations. Earlier, students would get a month of holidays after the exams. Now, they will have to attend next semester’s classes after the exams,” said B Chidambararajan, principal of Valliammai Engineering College. “Even if colleges start in the first week of May, we may need more than 10 days to conduct exams that may extend up to June.” Some colleges are yet to finish their internal assessment tests.

“If the lockdown is extended, Anna University will rework the exam schedule,” an official from Anna University said. DG Vaishnav College principal R Ganesan said conducting examinations immediately after reopening is not possible due to logistical constraints like getting question papers and answer sheets. “We need at least 15 days to conduct exams. We are also thinking of closing the college till May and reopening in June with exams.”

S Kothai, principal of Ethiraj College for Women, said if the extension was only for 15 days exams would be rescheduled. “Instead of exams in April, we can hold them in May. If it extends beyond 15 days, it would cause confusion,” she said.

The college plans to reduce number of students per exam hall from 50 to 25 to maintain social distancing. “We are waiting for the government’s directions.” Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa said the university would call for a meeting next week to decide on revised exam schedule, finishing lessons and compensating the loss of working days. “Any additional vacation after the lockdown is unlikely.” University of Madras plans to conduct exams for outgoing students. “If normalcy returns by May, we want to conduct exams for final year students and publish results immediately. It would take 30-40 days,” said vice-chancellor P Duraisamy.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted a seven-member committee to look into a contingency plan that would include an alternate academic calendar and ways to conduct exams for colleges and universities and a new schedule for vacations.

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