Guwahati: Gauhati University (GU) student leaders Moon Talukdar (General Secretary) and Bishaldeep Kakati, Assistant General Secretary (North East Debaters' Association), today wrote to the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court seeking his intervention in the University Grants Commission's (UGC) bid to conduct examinations for final year students in Assam amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The student leaders called on the Chief Justice to ensure that the final year students must be promoted based on a combination of seminars, assignments, and average marks of the previous semesters. Further, an opportunity must be given to the interested final year students to upgrade their marks later on as and when the pandemic ends.
They further added that since most of the educational institutions have been turned into quarantine centers, hence, without ensuring complete hygienic and safety conditions, it would be difficult for the students to sit in the educational institution for hours and appear for examinations.
"Keeping their future in mind, if the dates of conducting examinations are postponed every now and then, then the fear of losing the academic year also looms over. Hence, even this perspective must also be taken into account", the student leaders further opined.
The student leaders further pointed out that even if the examinations are conducted in Assam, the students should be allowed to attain a minimum number of classes before the examinations are conducted as otherwise, it would be really difficult on their part to sit for the examination process.
"Hence keeping all these issues in mind, we humbly request you, Sir, if possible to establish required communication with the UGC so that the final semester students are not required to face any kind of mental harassment or trauma amidst this pandemic in terms of keeping in pace with the entire examination procedure. We would be really grateful if you do so and obliged", the letter further stated.
Talking to The Sentinel Digital, Moon Talukdar said, "We have urged the Chief Justice to take appropriate steps to reduce the plight of the students of Assam regarding the latest examinations related UGC guidelines. Assam is experiencing problems on several fronts. First is the problem of floods; secondly, there is the problem of internet connectivity; thirdly, the coronavirus still poses a threat. In normal times, UGC makes it necessary to attend 75% of classes. However, they have not reduced the syllabus even though students have not attended most of the classes this year due to the pandemic situation."
Talukdar also opined that online exams cannot be conducted due to a lack of internet connectivity in the remote areas of the state. "Additionally, offline exams cannot be conducted as there is an inter-state ban in Assam owing to the spike in the number of coronavirus cases. Additionally, there are students from all over Northeast studying in these colleges and it is not feasible for them to come to appear for the exams. Thankfully, Chief Justice has taken note of the letter and said that there will be discussions over the matter", he added.
Talukdar also stated that since the Chief Minister and Education Minister have not taken cognizance of the matter, they had no option other than bringing the judiciary into play. "Since the conducting of the exams is not possible, we hope that the final semester students shall also be exempted from appearing this year. The Covid-19 situation in Assam has taken a terrible turn and cases are only expected to soar in August. Thus, we hope that the UGC shall come up with a solution that will be agreeable to all. We are against the holding of exams in Assam, but the UGC can come up with an alternative, especially in regards to Assam due to the prevailing condition", Talukdar added.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the UGC, on a batch of pleas challenging its guidelines, making completion of final year university exams mandatory by September 30. The matter will next be heard on July 31.