KSU demands NEHU to withdraw decision to hold examinations

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 24, 2020

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has demanded the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) to withdraw its decision to conduct final examinations via online mode.

In a letter to the chairman of the NEHU academic council on Monday, KSU-NEHU unit president, Pynshai Kupar Dkhar said, “The union also feels that no decision should be taken at this point of time as the matter of conducting the final exam is sub-judice and no decision should be taken arbitrarily as the Supreme Court is yet to give its verdict.”

“…the Union exhorts the University to withdraw the decision of conducting an online exam in lieu the University should seek the extension of deadline on holding a Final Examination as the University is in the position to do that by referring to the defence statement submitted by the UGC before the Supreme Court and the Union exhorted the University to conduct it when the situation in the state is normalized and also certain steps and measures are taken by the university to ensure that it is safe for the students to submit their forms and for the student to appear their online exams and to consider our views,” he said.

The came after the NEHU has issued a notification on August 21, informing that the final year examinations will most probably begin from the third week of September.

Pointing out that COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the state, Dkhar said that by directing the students to submit the application form offline will expose the students of the University and its affiliated colleges to this highly contagious virus and further lead to catastrophic ramifications.

“The union is also still not aware of the steps and measures taken by your office and the union expressed its deep concern and resentment over the decision of the University to go forth with an online exam for the Final Semester Students both P.G & U.G,” he said.

“The Union again recapitulated its unabated opposition against an online mode exam as it is neither feasible nor desirable in nature and will certainly ensure significant impact mostly on the students of Meghalaya in particular.

Moreover it is not within the modality of the University to decide the practicality or impracticability on conducting an online exam without a prior consultation with the stakeholder of the University,” he added

The KSU leader further stated that various Durbar Shnong in the state have direct their residents to observe self-quarantine whilst returning from Shillong in order to curb the spread of this highly contagious virus in their respective villages. “…by directing the students to submit the application form offline is discombobulating when the University has acknowledged the infeasibility in conducting the final examination via offline mode,” he added.

Meanwhile, the KSU has suggested the administration to base the assessment from the assignment and previous semesters grades/marks or put the exam on hold for now until the situation deemed fit by conducting the said exam.