MHA directive nixes plans of varsities to hold offline revision classes

Mangaluru: Following a fresh guideline from the ministry of home affairs (MHA), the univesrities in the state have dropped plans to conduct offline revision classes for the final semester under-graduate/post-graduate students starting September 1. The return to teaching in brick and mortar format prior to the examination, validity of which the Supreme Court upheld following the UGC directive, was seen as a means to reassure students at a crucial juncture in their careers.
Clarifying on implications of MHA directive, PL Dharma, registrar (evaluation), Mangalore University, told TOI that the initial plan as approved by the Karnataka State Higher Education Council was to hold revision classes from September 1 to 12 for the examinations scheduled from September 16. “MHA directive has said strict no to offline classes in the current pandemic scenario and directed universities, institutions to go ahead with online classes,” he said.
However, students may come to their respective campuses with prior permission from their principals and meet lecturers for guidance and clarity on topics in syllabus, he said. In doing so, students compulsorily have to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines including wearing a mask and observing social distancing.
Dharma said Mangalore University has clearly intimated to students that if they are not able to perform well in the examination amidst the prevalent circumstances, they are at liberty to reject the results and appear afresh when re-examinations are held. Candidates availing this option need not pay examination fees again and it will be treated as a fresh attempt and the same will be reflected in their marks card.
To complaints in certain quarters about colleges not having been able to complete teaching of the syllabus, Dharma, while acknowledging receipt of the same said the university has taken the word of principals on this issue. “We have not changed the exam pattern on this singular belief that colleges have finished up to 90% of their syllabus,” he said, adding the university is fully geared to conduct the examinations that will end sometime mid-October.