A section of final year postgraduate students have accused the University of Kerala of declaring exams without ensuring the mandatory number of teaching days. Their exams are scheduled to commence on August 10, and the students are worried about not getting enough time to complete their project works and practicals. With their pleas to postpone exams being turned down, the students will launch an indefinite agitation in front of the varsity headquarters here on Monday.
Shereef Chithara, a student of MSM College, Kayamkulam, said the classes for the fourth semester had commenced only on March 12, while they should have begun in January. “We have had only 35 working days so far,” he said.
Rahul, of University College, alleged that the university violated the UGC norm that the number of teaching days should be at least 90 in a semester. They had submitted a petition, signed by students from around 15 colleges, to put off exams.
Varsity stance
In response, an official of the varsity said the demands were unreasonable, since the students would get over 60 effective working days until August 10. By the end of the exams, the semester would have consumed close to 90 days. “Several final-year students have requested us to stick to the schedule so that they can register for other courses in time. Only a minority among the 3,000-odd students have raised the issue,” the official said.