Offline exams amidst a pandemic – A challenge for Delhi University
As the Delhi High Court has shown a green flag to the Delhi University (DU), directing it to conduct offline exams for the final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students from September 14th, many faculty members, including students and the university administration have voiced their concerns over its viability amidst the pandemic.
Delhi University proposed to hold the offline exams for those students who could take the Open Book Exams (OBEs) online and those who wish to upgrade their performance even after taking the OBEs, from September 20th. However, the bench that comprised justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad asked the University to advance the date because the timeline was “quite unreasonable.”
The Union Home Ministry had already decreed, in an affidavit in the Supreme Court, that colleges could re-open to conduct the final year examinations. The Delhi University’s proposal comes days beyond this. Precautionary measures such as social distancing are a significant concern for the authorities which have to be kept in mind while conducting the offline exams. Teachers are of the view that conducting the offline exams amidst the pandemic shall delay the evaluation and declaration of results of the ongoing Open Book Examinations.
Most of the students have flocked back to their hometowns when the nationwide lockdown was announced and coming back would not only mean compromising their health but also adding to their financial woes.
Balaram Pani, DU’s Dean of Colleges said, “State universities can conduct offline exams without challenges because their students live locally, unlike central universities, where students from all across the country study. Candidates from far-flung areas will face difficulties in coming to Delhi. Hostel accommodation will be risky due to Covid-19 restrictions. Students, especially those from economically weaker sections, might face difficulties in making these arrangements. Besides, students might be asked to quarantine; that will be another challenge."
Principals of various colleges expressed their concern over having to make elaborate arrangements to conduct physical exams. Bijayalaxmi Nanda, the acting Principal of Miranda House said, “We have to prepare because multiple things have to be done. There must be uniform protocols regarding health and safety because they are of paramount importance. If thousands of students come to the campus for offline exams, arrangements for social distancing and sanitisation and other things have to be made. If outstation students return, hostel arrangements have to be made. Limited resources have to be utilised, which will be challenging. Classes and evaluations are going on simultaneously."
Many Principals proposed the idea of conducting the offline exams in October since DU’s admission process begins in September. Manoj Sinha, the secretary of Delhi University Principal’s Association said, “The date doesn’t seem feasible since there isn’t enough time to prepare for offline exams, given the Covid-19 scenario. The entire teaching staff will be busy evaluating OBE papers. We cannot compromise this because it would affect overall results. Starting physical exams will not be conducive to the functioning of the institutions at present, but we will do what the varsity administration decides."
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