Amid the growing demand for cancellation of the Class 12 examinations, several Under Graduate (UG) students have now written to the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding conduct of the 5th semester examination in online mode.
The students of several colleges in Puri, including SCS and Government Women’s College, have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through concerned district administration officials to this effect on Thursday.
The students are demanding the conduct of the UG 5th semester examination in online mode or direct promotion to the next semester.
The students of +3 final year(2019-2022 admission batch) have said that due to the delay on part of the Higher Education Department, examinations for the third semester were held in the month of August 2021, which was the scheduled time for the conduct of the fourth and second semester exams.
“Due to the delay in the conduct of the third semester exam, we did not get sufficient time for the 5th semester and third year course. We have got only 3 months, instead of 6 months, time for preparations. Our syllabus is also incomplete,” said the students in their memorandum to the CM.
As per the students, the colleges remained closed from January 10, 2022 due to the Covid-19 third wave and all the educational institutions reopened from February 7.
The students claimed that the examination can be conducted through online/offline/ blended mode as per the latest guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, the Higher Education department’s Principal Secretary has directed for the conduct of the examination in offline mode, they said.
“Generally, an UG student needs six months time to prepare for a semester. Given the current situation, we cannot afford any further postponement of the exam as the academic year will be extended and it will create problems for us to appear in several entrance and other competitive exams. This might create problems for us in taking admissions in any other State or Central Universities,” a student said.