Amid the coronavirus pandemic, students are facing many problems, including the huge academic losses caused due to the ongoing Pan-India lockdown. Several school exams, national entrance exams, and college exams have been delayed or cancelled. In this case, the government and many institutes have put forward the idea of conducting online courses and examinations, but have anyone thought of those who live in the areas without internet connections.
In view of the current uncertain situation, Delhi University discovered the alternative mode to conduct the exams. The university issued a notice on May 14, 2020, related to holding exams for the students in both regular colleges and the School of Open Learning and Non Collegiate Womens’ Education Board (NCWEB) from July 1 via online Open Book Examinations (OBE).
Read: Delhi University to conduct exams from July 1 via online Open Book Examinations
However, in regard to this decision, DU students filed a petition for the cancellation of the examinations amid this dreadful situation.
The petition has been filed on change.org
In the petition, students have appealed the varsity to cancel the online exams and said, “We firmly believe that the university shall not let its third years suffer, given that their jobs and higher education is at stake at the moment.”
Students also mentioned the numerous problems with the holding of the online examinations and wrote, “Unequal access to the internet, laptops and online textbooks will lead to students who are more affluent and able-bodied being able to benefit, while good students who do not have access to these facilities are unfairly penalized.”
“Since most students returned to their hometowns during the mid-semester break, they do not have access to the required readings, textbooks, or even course books.”
Newsd got in touch with some of the university students and asked them about their concerns regarding the decision.
On the condition of anonymity, one of the students said, “Our University closed on 13.03.2020. It was in the middle of the Holi break. We didn’t carry our books or reading material with us. A lot of us don’t even live in areas with great internet connectivity. Not to forget that Online teaching is something that has never been practiced by the University. A lot of us still haven’t received our results for the previous semester’s examinations. In the middle of this wild confusion, holding online and offline examinations hosts a lot of different issues.”
When asked about the response from the university, the student further said, “We have been writing to the University constantly, but have gotten no response.”
Another student expresses concern and said that at a time where the future student opportunities are uncertain, universities should lenient and quick in their response to aid final year students.
“Passing everyone and accomodating results based on previous semester GPA and present semester internals seems like a viable option.”
Meanwhile, today on May 15, students trended #DUAgainstOnlineExams on Twitter only for the sake of the cancellation of the online exams which holds many problems and issues.
One of the tweets shows worries considering the bad internet connection as an obstacle in taking the online exams.
Im in red zone of this widespread and having serious net issue. For this post I came out of my house.. Its very stressful for me and other students like me..
Should I go here and there in search of network for exams?
Is it more important than life? #DUAgainstOnlineExams— Shreya Kumari (@_officialshreya) May 15, 2020
While one of the twitter users said that they reject online examinations due to a lack of proper study materials and the internet.
We the Students of DU reject online examinations which are not in good interest of the larger student body because many of us don’t even have proper notes, readings or even proper internet access#DUAgainstOnlineExams#EducationWithoutExclusion
— Pooja Srivastava (@PoojaSr08186700) May 15, 2020
Another wrote on Twitter,
निकलता है कि दिल्ली यूनिवर्सिटी जो कि शिक्षण संस्थान है। वो गरीब तबके के लोगों के साथ अन्याय कर रही है।आपसे गुजारिश है कि एक बार अपने शिक्षक की राय जरूर ले।#DUAgainstOnlineExams
— Aman (@Aman35232556) May 15, 2020
