Complete final year exams in universities by September-end: UGC

Hyderabad: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday said that the final year examinations in the universities will be held in September. The UGC, in its order, asked the universities to complete the examinations by the end of September 2020, in offline (pen & paper), and in online or blended (online + offline) mode following the prescribed protocols related to Covid-19 pandemic.

Students who are unable to appear for these examinations will be given the opportunity to appear for special examinations. The students who are in the Intermediate semester will be evaluated based on their internal assessment.

"MANUU Students union oppose the decsion to conduct examinations. We believe that its a Anti Student decsion and UGC is playing with the lives of students. Forget their education, their life is at stake now. These frequent alterations of the guidelines is just torture. You can't expect us to appear for exams in this situation. And Just look at the irony of the situation. The same day when India was declared third worst country in terms of Covid infections, the government decides to go ahead and declare that exams are mandatory,” Said Umar Faruq,

President MANUU Students union

Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Haryana have canceled all higher education exams and will promote students on the basis of previous performance. “In view of the safety, career progression, and placements of the students and their larger interests, after consulting with the home ministry and health ministry, the decision was taken,” said Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Union Minister of Human Resource Development.

Students are confused about the decision of the UGC. “Since the time this decision has come, we are all confused. Every classmate of mine doesn’t know how we will give the exam. We have already moved away from our college days, we have started looking for a job and for higher education,” said Rohit Kumar N, a B.Com student from St. Mary College.

Even universities have not made any decision on how they will implement the guidelines. “Osmania University will have a meeting with the higher education department of Telangana and will decide upon how the university would conduct the examination and implement all these guidelines. We will inform the students as soon as we will reach upon a decision,” said Osmania University officials.

“It's better if they can conduct an exam, as we might lose marks in internals and fewer marks can affect our career. But, also they should consider the COVID situation and the infrastructure these students have. Everyone doesn’t have access to the internet and resources, it means they are deprived of their rights,” says Manogna Divi, a BBA student from Andhra Mahasabha, Arts and Science College for Women.

Students are waiting for their colleges to respond on the issue.