Goa: Frequent power cuts interfere with students answering final year exams online

PANAJI: As heavy and gusty winds lashed the state on Wednesday, many students from rural areas answering their final year degree exams online faced issues due to frequent power cuts. To add to their problems, internet connectivity was worsened by the bad weather.
The power cuts led to anxiety among students as the disruption in supply began from Tuesday night itself.
One college in North Goa postponed its exam for TYBCom scheduled on Wednesday after students informed teachers about their worry over the power cuts.
“Students from areas like Pernem and Tivim began messaging teachers from Tuesday evening itself informing that they are experiencing frequent power cuts. The situation worsened on Wednesday as rainfall got heavier. But a decision was taken beforehand to postpone the exam to relieve students of their anxiety. The paper scheduled on Wednesday will now be held on the final day, after all other papers are over,” said a college official.
As a result of the pandemic, Goa University (GU) had asked colleges themselves to conduct the final year exams, which allowed the institutes the flexibility to adjust as per students’ convenience.
“Many reported issues with network connectivity due to heavy rains. Otherwise, we have held even sessions over Google meet in the recent weeks without any hassles. Nevertheless, on Wednesday students were eventually able to send their answersheets in time,” said a teacher, whose students hail from Quepem taluka.
Students have to be sent the question paper at 10am and they have to stop writing by 12 noon. They are given another two hours to submit their answersheets by email. Institutes said this extra time helped on Wednesday.
“It is only a 30-mark paper and can be answered within an hour. Our students in areas like Bicholim said they were facing power cuts and network issues. But since there was more than sufficient time, everyone could complete the exam. We tried to keep the process as student friendly as possible. Usually, we prefer students email their answersheets, but we even accepted it over whatsapp,” said a teacher.