Offline examinations amidst pandemic: Students, parents angry, GU remains adamant

GUWAHATI: The decision of Gauhati University (GU) to conduct offline examinations for the degree final year course has angered many students and their parents.

The GU authority recently decided to hold the exams for BA, B.Sc and B.Com final year students from September 22 to October 15. The exams will be held for students of 350 affiliated colleges.

A GU official said the examinations will be held through pen and paper mode since the university doesn't have adequate infrastructures to hold online exams. He said the exams will carry 50 per cent weightage and the remaining 50 per cent marks will be awarded on the basis of internal assessment.

"What is most outrageous is the insensitivity to hold these examinations in the physical mode across the country at a time when the pandemic is surging both in terms of new infections and deaths. If my son gets infected after sitting for the exams, he will be the virus carrier for my entire family. I have not yet decided whether I will allow my son for the exams in September," Rumi Hazarika of Panbazar said.

A section of students have alleged that despite their repeated requests to hold the exams online the present Vice Chancellor has not paid any heed to the pleas. "Both my parents are diabetic and high blood pressure. If they are infected with the virus it would be serious a health complication," Sanjoy Sharma, a student said.

Earlier the AASU unit of GU had submitted a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor not hold the offline exams as it would endanger lives of thousands of youths during the current pandemic.

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