Alleging that the studies were carried out in online mode and the syllabus is yet to be completed, several students on Monday staged a demonstration in Bhubaneswar demanding the conduct of Under Graduate (UG) 5th semester exam in online mode, or it should be cancelled altogether.
The UG students of various colleges staged the demonstration at Master Canteen square in the Capital city, alleging that despite serving several memorandums to this effect, their demands have not yet been fulfilled by the State government. Following directions of the Higher Education Department, the Universities are gearing up to conduct the exams in offline mode now.
“We have been told that the 5th semester (3rd year) and other ‘odd year’ semesters will be conducted in offline mode. We are against such decision as we have not been given adequate time to prepare. Besides, our demand for reduction in syllabus has also not been considered,” said Maheswari Mishra, an UG student.
The students said that in its recent circular regarding the re-opening of Universities and Colleges post the pandemic-induced lockdown. the University Grants Commission (UGC) had stated that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may open campuses while keeping in mind the Covid-19 situation in their respective regions.
As per the circular, “Higher Education Institutes may open campus; conduct classes and examinations in offline/ online/ blended mode following Covid appropriate behaviour and necessary protocols/guidelines/directions/ advisories issued by Central/State governments or competent authorities from time to time.”
“The state government is yet to take to reconsider its decision. While engineering and other institution students have been allowed to appear the exam in online mode, the State government authorities claim that their guideline is superior to UGC,” said Mishra.
On February 10, students from several colleges in Puri, including SCS and Government Women’s College, had also demanded the conduct of the 5th semester examination in online mode.