Bhubaneswar: A sudden surge in the number of Covid-19 positive cases especially at various educational institutes across Odisha has become a major cause of concerns for the students as examinations for various courses have begun at different institutes.
Even as the institutes have conducted examinations amid strict adherence to the Covid guidelines, the situation still remains out of control. Fresh Covid-19 cases in the campus have spread panic among the students during examination season.
"We are in a grip of panic after two from the campus tested positive for the virus. So, we are in a dilemma whether to attend the paper or not. Detection of fresh cases in the campus has created anxiety," said Manas Panda, a student at Ravenshaw University.
Some technical institute like NIT, Rourkela have decided to conduct the exam through online mode after students vehemently opposed offline system during pandemic time. The NIT authorities have decided to issue fresh notification for the online exam.
"The authorities in consultation with the senate members have decided to conduct exam in online mode as the Covid cases created panic among students even though the online system is not so effective," said Pradeep Dash, Registrar of NIT, Rourkela.
Although a virtual mode can be considered as an option for the technical courses, it is not possible in case of general students.
"In some cases, online examination can be conducted. But, it will not be feasible for all the papers. Still, the university authorities will take a decision on the issue," said Bhabani Prasad Sahoo, a student of Ravenshaw University.
Meanwhile, 21 persons including eight students, 13 teachers have tested positive for the Covid-19 at an engineering college in Jharsuguda today.
Similarly, 45 persons including students and staffers at Xavier Institute of Management in Bhubaneswar had tested for the virus a few days ago. These apart, positive cases have also been detected at Ravenshaw Varsity (Cuttack), VISSUT (Sambalpur) and a residential college in Cuttack recently.