Reconsider decision on conducting offline examinations; ACKHSA

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: In a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor, Assam University, All Cachar Karimganj and Hailakandi Students' Association (ACKHSA) submitted on Tuesday urged upon him to reconsider the decision on conducting examinations offline. The University Grants Commission (UGC) in its circular issued on July 6, 2020 advised the universities across the country to conduct examinations in mandated modes of online, offline or a blend of both. A meeting of the Assam University authorities with all the Deans of various Schools on July 9 decided that the examination of the final year students will be adjudged entirely on the basis of assignments, projects and viva voce.

The Academic Council of the University thereafter modified the decision of the Deans of Schools to recommend that the examinations of final year students of TDC colleges and the final year students of the University would be conducted in pen and paper mode. Taking exception to this decision of the AU, ACKHSA at a press-meet held in the premises of Silchar Press Club today gave forth a slew of arguments. The spectre of pandemic COVID-19 is looming large over the globe. India's upswing graph is alarming. Our Barak Valley and Assam as a whole do not show any sign of abatement as of now. The pandemic is likely to reach its climax in September/October.

To think of conducting offline examinations when students in droves will pour into the halls will only be perilous. It will put the health and hygiene of students at jeopardy. Mood of the students, ACKHSA advisor, Rupam Nandi Purkayastha says, is not in favour of conducting examinations in conventional method. For the last six months, students have no access to libraries and class room teaching and guidance of teachers to prepare themselves mentally for examinations in pen and paper mode. Moreover, efficacy of online classes is questionable as it cannot be reached to all students.

Assam is now in the grip of heavy floods. Affected students from outside the valley can hardly take to examinations. The economic recession following repeated lockdowns has adversely impacted large number of students who can't put in rented rooms and lodging homes. Against this backdrop, ACKHSA offers AU authorities the following suggestions for consideration. Assessment and accreditation of the final year students should based entirely on their assignment, project, viva and the performance of previous year. Final decision for holding examinations be taken to allay the anxiety of students. The decision taken in respect of the intermediate semester students should be remain as it was decided earlier. Besides Rupam Nandi Purkayastha, the memorandum was signed by Niranjan Dutta and Biswajit Deb, advisors, Sahidur Rahman, Rajib Paul, Nikita Banik, Ripan Laskar and Joysree Nath, convenors.

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