Capt urges Modi to review UGC guidelines on exams

Capt urges Modi to review UGC guidelines on exams

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chandigarh:  12.07.2020

Punjab has sought permission to adhere to its July 3 decision on cancellation of university and college examinations in view of the exponentially rising Covid-19 cases. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging to advise the Union ministry of human resource development (MHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to reconsider its decision on mandatory conduct of final term exams by September.

“UGC may be asked to reiterate its earlier issued guidelines of April 29, wherein it had been clearly mentioned that the guidelines were advisory in nature and each state/university would chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to Covid-19 pandemic,” he urged the Prime Minister.

Amarinder noted that the state government, after due deliberation and taking into account the Covid-19 situation and attendant issues of safety of students and staff, had on July 3, decided to cancel all pending UG and PG final term examinations and to promote students on the basis of performance in previous years/ semesters.

“In addition, we have also allowed conduct of examination for the purpose of improvement of grades for interested students, once the situation becomes conducive,” Captain Amarinder pointed out, stressing that “This would ensure academic credibility, career opportunities, future prospects and fair and equal opportunity for students in both urban and rural areas.”

“In view of this rising trend of cases, I am not sure whether the situation will be conducive for conducting offline physical examinations by September,” he said, adding that conducting physical examination will also involve huge logistical and operational challenges. On the other hand, Amarinder said, “Conducting online examinations for such a large number of students, majority of whom reside in rural areas without assured access to computers/laptops and internet, is also not possible in the state.”