Following IIT Bombay should other varsities cancel final year exams?
Representative imageAcademics and students are in serious fix with UGC scheduling the final year exam in September
Exam is a must in current system, says Pramod Kumar, registrar, JNU
"In view of the current pandemic, the revised UGC guidelines to conduct the final semester in September is an appropriate decision. There has been a provision to conduct exam either online, offline or blended mode. One should not make a hue and cry over it. Awarding a degree based on average performance and internal assessment might be unfair to some students. The examination is an integral part of the current education system being followed in our country. We are yet to have an alternative to test a student’s academic capabilities."
Unilateral decision not practical, says Rajendra Prasad, vice-chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
Offline exam are unrealistic, says Sudharshan Mishra, Department of Education, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha
"In view of the current situation, it is an unrealistic proposal to conduct offline exams. If we think of online examination, several questions regarding the validity and reliability of examination come to mind. In the present model of online examination, students are expected to come to a designated centre. Can we ensure the safety of students in these designated centres? Open book examination is definitely a better proposition. However, this will work when students have adequate books and journals both in print and digital mode which they are expected to refer. Internet facility is another concern that needs to be addressed. Hence, looking at the larger interest of students and their health, all the terminal semester(s) or final year(s) examinations by the universities, institutions should be cancelled and their results should be declared as soon as possible by adopting alternative evaluation method."
Focus on education not on the exam, says Pramod Kumar Tiwari, assistant professor, Central University of Gujarat
"The current crisis calls for some other modes of assessment that can be followed by our higher education system. Instead of considering how to conduct a formal examination to complete a course, it is time to focus on ways to impart education, offer digital facilities to deprived students and those who are residing in remote areas. Despite, internet and mobile penetration in India, a large number of students are still struggling to grapple with the lack of digital infrastructure. The focus should be to make education accessible and available to all. Summative assessment needs to be switched to formative assessment."
Exam is a must in current system, says Pramod Kumar, registrar, JNU
"In view of the current pandemic, the revised UGC guidelines to conduct the final semester in September is an appropriate decision. There has been a provision to conduct exam either online, offline or blended mode. One should not make a hue and cry over it. Awarding a degree based on average performance and internal assessment might be unfair to some students. The examination is an integral part of the current education system being followed in our country. We are yet to have an alternative to test a student’s academic capabilities."
Unilateral decision not practical, says Rajendra Prasad, vice-chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
"All universities may not follow IIT Bombay decision as the academic programmes are different. Agriculture university students will get hands-on training (HoT) and other relevant practical exposures during the final year. Since agriculture programmes have soil and climate-based curriculum with more of practical so we need to have a mix of classroom teaching and work with farmers and other stakeholders. It is almost under essential service because anything can stop but not agriculture. Webinar and other ICT tools can be considered for evaluation in certain conditions."
Offline exam are unrealistic, says Sudharshan Mishra, Department of Education, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha
"In view of the current situation, it is an unrealistic proposal to conduct offline exams. If we think of online examination, several questions regarding the validity and reliability of examination come to mind. In the present model of online examination, students are expected to come to a designated centre. Can we ensure the safety of students in these designated centres? Open book examination is definitely a better proposition. However, this will work when students have adequate books and journals both in print and digital mode which they are expected to refer. Internet facility is another concern that needs to be addressed. Hence, looking at the larger interest of students and their health, all the terminal semester(s) or final year(s) examinations by the universities, institutions should be cancelled and their results should be declared as soon as possible by adopting alternative evaluation method."
Focus on education not on the exam, says Pramod Kumar Tiwari, assistant professor, Central University of Gujarat
"The current crisis calls for some other modes of assessment that can be followed by our higher education system. Instead of considering how to conduct a formal examination to complete a course, it is time to focus on ways to impart education, offer digital facilities to deprived students and those who are residing in remote areas. Despite, internet and mobile penetration in India, a large number of students are still struggling to grapple with the lack of digital infrastructure. The focus should be to make education accessible and available to all. Summative assessment needs to be switched to formative assessment."
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