Guv & edu min in war of words over exams, CM approached for fix

Yogita.Rao@timesgroup.com

Mumbai: 23.05.2020

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who is the chancellor of public universities in the state, on Friday said that conferring degrees on students without conducting exams will have an adverse impact on their future. He also took strong objection to the higher education minister writing a letter to the University Grants Commission (UGC) seeking cancellation of final-year exams. He said he was not “apprised” of the matter being taken to the UGC. He has directed the chief minister to resolve the issue of final-year exams at the earliest.

Clarifying his stand, minister Uday Samant told TOI there was no intention to bypass or disregard the governor’s authority. “If there is a misunderstanding, I will personally call or meet the governor to clarify the matter. The letter sent to the UGC was my opinion as the minister of higher education, and it was not a final decision. Initially, we thought Gadchiroli was in the green zone and exams could be conducted there. But now Covid cases are being reported there as well. For the safety and well-being of 8-10 lakh students, I still believe that exams should not be conducted,” said Samant. “A final decision on the matter will be taken by the CM, as directed by the governor.”

The governor in his letter to the CM said that not conducting final exams amounts to breach of UGC guidelines. The governor even asked the CM to issue suitable instructions to the minister for his ‘unwarranted intervention’.

Principals are divided on the issue. Several have signed a petition requesting the minister not to cancel final exams and say they will extend full support to the government in conducting exams. But many are against holding exams. “There are practical difficulties. Some colleges are being used as quarantine centres. We do not know if they will be made available for exams. Even parents are not keen on students going to college at this point,” said a principal.

Not conducting final year examinations by universities amounts to breach of UGC guidelines... Was not apprised by the minister in the matter

BS Koshyari | GOVERNOR