Take steps to prevent cheating in e-exams: Jharkhand governor

RANCHI: Governor Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday urged all the vice-chancellors (VCs) to improve their online teaching methods and take steps to prevent students from cheating during online exams.
Speaking to the VCs during a review meet via video conferencing, Murmu said, “Under the current circumstances, there’s no alternative to online classes. It is crucial to take steps to make sure that students do not develop a habit of cheating.”
Murmu brought up the matter of students being absent from online classes for a long period of time and asked the VCs to look into it. She said that such students need to be counselled if they are facing problems. She added, “The teachers should upload their lectures on YouTube for the benefit of students.”
Several Ranchi University (RU) affiliated colleges have witnessed a fall in the number of students attending the online lectures with the attendance percentage hovering arpund 50%. Many students have cited the poor internet connectivity and the unavailability of smartphones as the main reasons for their absenteeism.
Sanjay Kumar, a contractual teacher at KO College, said that he needs to send notes on WhatsApp groups as many students do not join the online class owing to poor connectivity.
Rajan Kumar of Marwari College said that RU should provide a paid version of Google Meet and other gadgets for ensuring a better turnout in online classes.
Meanwhile, the governor said that universities could play a vital role in encouraging people to follow the Covid-appropriate behaviour. The VCs apprised the governor of the steps taken by their respective institutes, like distributing masks, oxygen cylinders and encouraging people to take the vaccine, in this regard.
She also discussed other matters, including regularisation of academic sessions and the Chancellor’s portal.
Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University’s VC S N Munda said, “Online classes, and social responsibility were some of the issues discussed in the meeting. Our university has adopted three villages in Ranchi where mass awareness regarding the vaccination drive will be carried out.”
Besides the VCs, the meeting was attended by additional chief secretary (higher and technical education) K K Khandelwal and VCs (in-charge), among others.