Exam uncertainty worries Nagpur University students

Sarfaraz Ahmed | TNN | Updated: May 6, 2020, 14:14 IST

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NAGPUR: As Nagpur University (NU) awaits state government guidelines for conducting summer exams, postponed indefinitely during the current lockdown, students are getting anxious. Some are worried about delay while others are worried about possibility of catching coronavirus once submissions and exams begin.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already issued guidelines to conduct exams in a phased manner. “We are not sure if internal exam would be held now. If they do take place, it will expose all students as they will have to reach colleges to submit their assignments. Otherwise, they will have to stagger students over 15 days which looks difficult,” some students told TOI.
The students are also fearful of their teachers’ health. “They will be exposed to all students. Every college doesn’t have the luxury of big spaces. How would they maintain social distancing during internal exams as there will be students of other courses too,” they asked.
Students are also of the view that the NU must hold exams of only final-semester and provide average marks for all the other semesters.
“This indefinite postponement is causing the students grave anxiety and mental agony, thus affecting their potential. UGC has already laid down its guidelines but NU has failed to notify the students regarding the same. It’s high time the university declared its decision. We can then plan accordingly,” a student said.
The parents of students living in hostels are apprehensive of sending their children to the city. “Covid cases have not been on the decline. The hostelites are fearful of not finding proper transport, food and accommodation. The public transport facilities are also not available,” said another student.
A management student said their morale was down due to the lockdown and they were unable to focus on studies. “We are not sure what will happen in one month. Are we supposed to prepare for internals or written exam? This question keeps hounding us,” he said.
NU officials said the academic calendar was likely to be fixed in a couple of days. “We are contemplating holding 30% objective, 70% descriptive question paper. Thought is also being given to the possibility of holding examinations online. The university is awaiting government guidelines which will be based on UGC guidelines. Students need not worry,” they said.