Teachers urge SC not to permit final exams in Maha

Teachers urge SC not to permit final exams in Maha

Hemali.Chhapia@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:3.8.2020

The state teachers’ federation has filed an intervention in Supreme Court against University Grants Commission, stating that final exams cannot be held in Maharashtra.

Seeking quashing of a UGC notification that says all universities must conduct final exams by September-end, Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation stated it would not be logistically feasible to conduct exams. It said if 11 lakh students in final year are to be seated in exam halls by maintaining social distancing, 60,000-70,000 teachers would be needed as supervisors, in addition to 1 lakh support staff like peons, clerks, laboratory attendants.

“Since 2014, recruitment has stopped and 50% posts of teachers are vacant. Many teachers were on yearly contracts and having lost jobs in or after March 2020 will not be available for exam duties. This will impact exams and assessment,” they said.

Starting the process now would push deadlines too, stated MFUCTO. “The process requires an additional 45 days, so there will be delays, because of which the new semester may not begin until December. This will result in students being unable to enter the job market because of non-declaration of results and issue of mark-sheets. Admissions to higher classes will also get delayed.” Earlier, they had informed the state government that if final exams are held, faculty will not be able to participate.

MFUCTO also trashed the idea of conducting online exams.