‘Students anxious, want uncertainty over exams to end’

‘Students anxious, want uncertainty over exams to end’

Hemali.Chhapia@timesgroup.com

15.07.2020

Mumbai: The uncertainty over final exams with the state government firm on not holding them and the UGC making exams mandatory, the rulings of central apex bodies of professional institutes as well as the silence from universities, all of this has combined to leave students a confounded lot. Their plans for further education and jobs are hanging in the balance. Amidst the confusion and noise, TOI spoke to senior faculty members from five colleges on the most pressing concerns of students and parents.

Datta Meghe College of Engineering: The 139 final year students are in a dilemma as they cannot apply for a job or explore options for further studies in the absence of a marksheet. Students in professional education are largely from the middle-class and are job-seekers with no family business to fall back on.

HR College: Every new announcement leads to a flurry of phone calls to the faculty and top management.But we have no information from authorities. Whether exams are held or not, students want their marksheets as many want to pursue law, MBA etc.

Government Law College: After the CM’s announcement that exams would not be held, a virtual graduation ceremony was held for the class of 2020. But the notifications from the Bar Council of India and UGC have sparked anxiety. Students want a decision taken soon as their future is at stake.

Shrimati Manoramabai College of Architecture, Nagpur: As per Council of Architecture directives, we are conducting online vivavoce for all students. Students wanted exams as they will not get a licence from the council.

A college with 40% ATKTpopulation:We have a lot of students with backlogs and they are happy with the decision to clear all ATKT students. But there is no clarity on how many grace marks can be given.

TIMES VIEW: Since the decision to either call off or hold university exams will have to be taken through consensus by involving various stake-holders including regulating bodies, vice-chancellors and heads of institutions, it would be best if the state education minister initiated talks with them rather than take a unilateral position and expect the entire education sector to fall in line. This paper's view is the decision impacts future education as well as job prospects, and hence it is vital to take a long-term view instead of attempting a short-cut to overcome the difficulties of holding exams in the present situation.