Dozens of Under Graduate (UG) students of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore staged demonstration outside the gate of the institution demanding cancellation of the 5th semester examination in offline mode.
The students have reportedly launched a peaceful dharna since Wednesday and were also sitting in the demonstration entire night yesterday.
Alleging that their courses have not been covered, the students demanded that they should be assessed based on the marks of the internal examination.
“We have earlier submitted a written request to the university authorities urging cancellation of offline exam and award us marks based on the internal exam that we had earlier appeared through offline mode. The online classes were not taken properly and even our courses have not been completed. With the given circumstances, how can we appear for the examination,’ said an agitating student.
Another student alleged, “Our college was closed following the outbreak of third wave and the syllabus have not been covered yet. The government is playing with our future.”
Earlier on February 14, UG students of various colleges staged demonstration at Master Canteen square in the Capital city Bhubaneswar demanding the conduct of UG 5th semester exam in online mode, or it should be cancelled altogether.
Dillip Kumar Ghosh, Principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College said, “The State Government has earlier directed to hold offline exams but all the educational institutions were closed on January 10 following the outbreak of Omicron-driven third wave of Covid-19 pandemic. This disrupted the education system for some 20 to 25 days due to which the students are demanding to cancel offline exams. The government in its recent order has directed the college authorities to hold examination in offline mode in order to revive the education system which has been disturbed since the last two years.”
“However, I will apprise the government about the ongoing protest by the students so that steps can be taken accordingly,” added Ghosh.