Odisha: Chorus grows against Plus III final semester exam
Representative image
BHUBANESWAR: Graduate students from several colleges joined protest against the decision to hold sixth semester exam, claiming that it will compromise their health during the unprecedented crisis unleashed by the novel coronavirus.
On Monday, students of Utkal University, Rama Devi Women’s University, Ravenshaw University and other institutes staged demonstrations outside their respective campuses to make authorities hear their voice. The students demanded alternative methods to the physical exam process.
Sourav Kumar Kar, a Plus III final year student of Utkal University, said the university authorities and the government should understand the gravity of the public health situation before going ahead with the final semester exam across the state.
“If the government can promote second and fourth semester students, why is it not doing the same for the sixth semester students? It will be easy for the authorities to calculate the average marks of the last five semesters and add it into the final semester papers,” said Kar, who was among a group of six Plus III students who staged a demonstration in front of Utkal University main gate demanding the cancellation of the exam.
Utkal University on Monday issued a notification for the sixth semester exam. As per schedule, practical tests will be conducted between July 7 and 13, while theory papers will be held between July 14 and 23. Projects can be submitted by July 28.
Students of Rama Devi Women’s University have been protesting against the sixth semester exam for a while. On Monday, they once again staged a demonstration in front of the university. They sat on a dharna in front of the university gate and asked senior professors and officials to make alternative arrangements to promote students.
“Many students stay outside the state. Some are in containment zones. Besides, we have visually challenged students who will need writers to assist them. How will they maintain social distance while appearing for the exam?” asked Shristi Ray Choudhury, a final year Plus III student.
The university has shifted the exam dates from June 25 to the second week of July. “The state government has taken the decision to hold the exam. We cannot change the decision,” Rama Devi Women’s University vice-chancellor Padmaja Mishra said.
Ravenshaw University students submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor to cancel the examination. “Several students of business administration need their certificates by end of July to join work. But it is not feasible to hold the exams, either online or offline, in this situation. The government should tabulate the average marks of the last five semesters,” said Mohammad Mushahid Khan, a final year student of the university.
Asoka Kumar Das, vice-chairman of Odisha State Higher Education Council, said, “For the government, the priority is the students’ health and their career. All possibilities are being considered to keep these aspects in mind. Students should not worry.”
Educationist Prasanna Kumar Mohanty said the state government should pay heed to the plea of students. “The risk of contracting Covid-19 is very much there. Students fear they may contract the virus while appearing for the exam and they can’t be faulted for this. We can use alternative methods to evaluate students’ grades instead of holding exams. The universities can promote students considering their performance in the last five semesters,” Mohanty said.
Meanwhile, students of BJB Autonomous College Bhubaneswar will hold a peaceful protest in front of the college campus on Tuesday aganist the government decision to conduct the sixth semester exam.
EoM