A letter to Hon Udayaji Savant, Cabinet Minister of Higher Education, Government of Maharashtra, India
Corona virus Impact: The University can conduct the semester exams during winter session of upcoming academic year due to COVID-19 pandemic
As the country continues to grapple from Corona virus pandemic with an extended nationwide lockdown till 3rd of May, 2020, the University Grants Commission has sought suggestions from the academic fraternity for online teaching/ learning process and for conducting summer semester examination. In this regards, Dayanand Education Society, Latur, Maharashtra organized a meeting on 14/04/2020 of Principals, Vice-Principals and academic experts of all colleges run by Dayanand Education Society, Latur. The meeting was conducted by the President, Laxmiraman Lahoti and the Secretary, Ramesh Biyani strictly observing the social distancing.
The overall issues regarding the conduction of University summer examinations for UG and PG have been discussed in the meeting. An unanimous suggestion came across that all the summer examinations should be postponed in the month of October, 2020 (coming academic year) without disturbing the 2020-21 academic calendar. After the completion of 2019-20 summer examinations, the winter examinations of the academic year 2020-21 should be conducted in the month of November running over to 15 December 2020 (approx).
Since the lockdown has been extended, courses, examinations, dissertations, and submissions are currently on hold. As students of SRTMUN come from different parts of the country, some from very remote areas, 100% availability of android mobile, laptop, computer and internet connectivity can be an issue. The recommendations for conducting online examinations therefore may not be possible.
Another alternative is of the home examinations to be conducted at the College/Institution level for the UG and PG courses. But, this measure may incur issues pertaining to observing impartiality and maintaining academic standards. So this may not be a viable measure.
If the lockdown opens after 3rd May it may be possible to call the students immediately for examinations owing to the social distancing. It will be difficult to follow the social distancing rules during conducting the examinations as per the regular semester pattern in the month of May or June.
The academic calendar can be started w.e.f. 1 June 2020 and can be extended to 15 May, 2021. The lockdown period can be compensated in such a way.
For the preparation of NEET medical entrance test, the student has to prepare the curriculum of 11th as well as 12th. Similarly, for the next academic year the UG & PG students will prepare accordingly and will appear for the examinations. All the students should be carry forward for the next academic year. The students of ATKT, and backlog will take their remaining papers in the month of October.
The UG 1st year admission process will start immediately after the Board’s results. The admissions for PG courses can be given by considering the aggregate percentage of students of their 5 semesters at UG excluding 6th as it will be taken in the coming academic year. Undertaking can be taken from the students that they will be eligible for PG degree only after clearing the 6th semester (remaining).
However, the examinations for the PG Part II students should be conducted at the commencement of the 2020-21 academic year, i. e. in June 2020 to July 2020 so that they may not be at academic loss. Moreover, since the number of students of the PG Part II is comparatively limited, it would possible to observe social distancing.
This could be convenient, flexible, feasible, and efficient mechanism to cater for the academic interests and well being of the student community.
Laxmiraman Lahoti Ramesh Biyan
President. Secretary
Dayanand Education Society
Latur, Maharashtra
&
Dr Jaiprakash Dargad
Principal
Dayanand Science College
Latur, Maharashtra
Covid 19 Best Practices
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