NU seeks higher education dept’s clarification on backlog students

Nagpur: Though the government resolution issued last week states that results of final year students from non-professional courses would be declared based on average marking, Nagpur University, like the other universities, finds itself clueless in the case of those with backlogs from previous semesters.
The GR categorically states that students willing to opt for average grading need to have all subjects cleared. Apart from final year exams, students couldn’t appear for backlog papers too. Their fate now hangs in the balance due to the Covid pandemic.
Officiating ProVC SR Chaudhari confirmed to TOI that the university is awaiting clarification from the department of higher education regarding students with backlog.
The unending suspense over the exams has evoked a mixed response from student organizations.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) city president Amit Patle reiterated that all exams for final year students must be held. “Students feel let down by the government. Our stand since the very beginning has been very clear, but the government is totally confused. It has exempted non-professional courses and left it to the apex bodies to decide about professional courses. What will happen if the bodies ask the universities to hold the exams? The backlog issue is another confusion,” said Patle.
Ajit Singh of the state Youth Congress said backlog students must be treated equally. “They must be having valid reasons for not clearing their previous exams. This is an emergency situation and they too must be given exemption,” said Singh.
Working city president of Nationalist Students’ Congress Rudra Dhakde said all students face the same health risk. “The danger posed by the virus will not be different for ATKT students. I request the government and the university to cancel the ATKT exams too. Students can be evaluated on the basis of other assignments,” said Dhakde and demanded that in case the chancellor insists on holding the exams, then each examinee must be insured for Rs50lakh.
NU officials said the government may not have a ready reply regarding backlog students. “The university can start seeking an undertaking/affidavit to know if a student wants to appear for the exam or not,” they said.
Final year LLB student Sandeep Pandey said not giving ATKT students the option to skip final exams is unfair.