To,

All the Honourable Authorities & Fellow Students.

As we all are aware about the directives issued by UGC to conduct examinations between 01.07.20 to 31.07.20 and start of new academic year on 01.09.20 - the most obvious question is that are exams more important than safety of students?

 Currently as on 11.05.2020 India has 65,000+ Covid-19 cases(with 40,000+ active cases). As predicted by experts the situation might even get worse by June-July. So what keeps authorities motivated to conduct exams during such pandemic is really difficult to understand.

Following points require serious attention:-

1. Not all students live within the same vicinity that they can come quickly,give exams and go back home. (Many travel ranging from 30kms-70kms). So if a student lives in RED Zone and has his college situated in GREEN zone how will you ensure other students safety?

2. It is but obvious that before exams there is an anxiety complex in students and they form small groups discussing everything they can before exams.( How will you ensure Physical Distancing in this case?)

3. Even if we assume a hypothetical situation wherein 100% efforts are made in college to ensure safety of each and every individual, won't it be too difficult to maintain safety outside the campus! Is it possible to keep a check on every individual -that he reaches home safely without coming into contact with anyone.

4. Right now following the directions of lockdown we all are safe at our houses. Just in case any student falls ill due to exams being conducted at a particular centre who will take the responsibility of that student? - The College , University , Education Minister - Who?

5. Even if exams are conducted by the end of July there will be a chaos in most of the institutions for further admissions. Who is going to ensure Physical Distancing everywhere?

Basis for Evaluation(Suggested)

1.  10th & 12th class students and First/Second Year college going students can easily be promoted based on any criteria that the authority seems fit. 
2. For terminal semester students across all the universities the following mechanism as already suggested can be put into implementation without a second thought i.e 50% marks of past semester and 50% marks based on internal exam marks of current semester.
3. Class 12 students need to prepare for their entrance tests. Terminal semester students need Degree to apply for Job or may need to prepare for entrance tests for higher education or professional education. In such a case decision needs to be taken immediately without wasting time.
4. The decision regarding cancellation of exams should be taken with immediate effect in highly affected states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi etc. to avoid panic and any kind of unwanted situation.
5. Students should be given ample amount of time to decide about their future course and not made to rush that new academics will start immediately after 25-30 days of result declaration.

 

Following survey is based on the observations made by Prof. Aditi Sawant from St.Xavier's College, Mumbai. This questionnaire was circulated on 28th April and within 12 hours, 4059 students had reverted back with the above data. Following is the link for the same :

https://twitter.com/supriya_sule/status/1255371855143280642

Situation needs to be taken seriously. If during Lockdown 65,000 people are affected in India, what will be the situation once we all rush out shall be unimaginable!

It is very easy to say that precautionary measures will be taken in every examination centre but implementation matters!

Thus, we all request you to cancel school as well as college exams(at least undergraduate students) just for the safety and well-being of all the students.

Exams may come and go but Life is only a one time Gift! Hope all the knowledgeable people get it.