Maharashtra to award average scores for final year University students, option to improve scores by appearing for exam later
Bringing relief to lakhs of students, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said final year university students will be awarded an average of their marks in previous semesters with an option to improve their grades by giving them an option to appear for exams when the situation improves.
Representational Image. MUMBAI: Bringing relief to lakhs of students, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday, May 31 said final year university students will be awarded an average of their marks in previous semesters with an option to improve their grades by giving them an option to appear for exams when the situation improves. Thackeray also said that school's academic session would commence online on June 15 with physical schools reopening in remote parts of the state which lack connectivity.
Speaking about the university exams during his live address to the state on Sunday evening, Thackeray said, “There is a concern among parents about sending their children to write an exam. Hence, we have decided to pass students and score them on an average of their marks in the previous semesters. Students will be able to move ahead in life with these scores. If students feel they could have done better if the exams were conducted, we will give them a chance as well. Whenever possible, we will conduct the exam for those students.” Following, Thackeray’s announcement, higher and technical education minister, Uday Samant said the details of the marking and exams will be announced within the next couple of days.
On Saturday, Thackeray and Samant along with government officials had an online meeting with the vice-chancellors of state universities to discuss the conduct of final-year exams and the schedule for the next academic session.
Earlier on Sunday, Thackeray also held an online meeting with school education minister, Varsha Gaikwad officials from the education department and experts. “In remote areas, where there is no internet connectivity and coronavirus spread, schools should be reopened by implementing social distancing norms. In places where there is a problem in physically restarting schools, the option of online education must be used. Maharashtra should show the country that education is not hampered in a situation like this pandemic,” he said. The academic year in the state begins on June 15 and June 26 in Vidharbha.
Explaining the department’s plan for the upcoming academic year, school education secretary, Vandana Krishna said, “Google is ready to provide the Classroom service to the school education department free of cost. Diksha, an app made available by the central government, is getting good response to e-literature created by Maharashtra. The plan to start schools in phases is ready and this includes reducing the number of holidays to complete the syllabus and a proposal to extend the coming academic session till May.”
Gaikwad said the department was working towards being able to restart learning even if not physical schools. “A standard operating procedure is being prepared on the basis of the suggestions of eminent education experts, officials and parents. The government is ready to impart education to the students online as well as through TV and radio. For this, the program 'Gali Gali Sim Sim' is aired on Doordarshan's Sahyadri channel every morning at 10 am. It is planned to distribute the required textbooks to each school by June 15,” she said.
Kapil Patil, MLC from the Lok Bharti party who attended the VC with CM said, "There are many places that are remote and without any internet connectivity like Nandurbar, physical schools should be started there. Also, many of these kids depend on the schools for their midday meals too. Only 18% rural area in the state has access to connectivity.” He added that Thackeray had promised to look into the demand to not be sent on duties other than education and other pending demands.
Speaking about the university exams during his live address to the state on Sunday evening, Thackeray said, “There is a concern among parents about sending their children to write an exam. Hence, we have decided to pass students and score them on an average of their marks in the previous semesters. Students will be able to move ahead in life with these scores. If students feel they could have done better if the exams were conducted, we will give them a chance as well. Whenever possible, we will conduct the exam for those students.” Following, Thackeray’s announcement, higher and technical education minister, Uday Samant said the details of the marking and exams will be announced within the next couple of days.
On Saturday, Thackeray and Samant along with government officials had an online meeting with the vice-chancellors of state universities to discuss the conduct of final-year exams and the schedule for the next academic session.
Earlier on Sunday, Thackeray also held an online meeting with school education minister, Varsha Gaikwad officials from the education department and experts. “In remote areas, where there is no internet connectivity and coronavirus spread, schools should be reopened by implementing social distancing norms. In places where there is a problem in physically restarting schools, the option of online education must be used. Maharashtra should show the country that education is not hampered in a situation like this pandemic,” he said. The academic year in the state begins on June 15 and June 26 in Vidharbha.
Explaining the department’s plan for the upcoming academic year, school education secretary, Vandana Krishna said, “Google is ready to provide the Classroom service to the school education department free of cost. Diksha, an app made available by the central government, is getting good response to e-literature created by Maharashtra. The plan to start schools in phases is ready and this includes reducing the number of holidays to complete the syllabus and a proposal to extend the coming academic session till May.”
Gaikwad said the department was working towards being able to restart learning even if not physical schools. “A standard operating procedure is being prepared on the basis of the suggestions of eminent education experts, officials and parents. The government is ready to impart education to the students online as well as through TV and radio. For this, the program 'Gali Gali Sim Sim' is aired on Doordarshan's Sahyadri channel every morning at 10 am. It is planned to distribute the required textbooks to each school by June 15,” she said.
Kapil Patil, MLC from the Lok Bharti party who attended the VC with CM said, "There are many places that are remote and without any internet connectivity like Nandurbar, physical schools should be started there. Also, many of these kids depend on the schools for their midday meals too. Only 18% rural area in the state has access to connectivity.” He added that Thackeray had promised to look into the demand to not be sent on duties other than education and other pending demands.
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