Recently Nagpur University (NU) issued a notification to conduct summer 2022 theory and practical examinations in offline mode, the student community is vehemently opposing the move.
Teachers and principals have endorsed the students’ stand, pointing out that most of them were yet to resume offline classes in colleges and still preferring online teaching, apprehensive of contracting the deadly virus.
Supporting their stand, Maharashtra Students Welfare Association (MSWA) president Vaibhav Edke said transportation and accommodation would be a big problem for examinees if they were to appear for offline papers. “Instead, blended mode should be adopted by the university by balancing theory and multiple-choice questions,” he told
Additionally, added Edke, “The syllabus must be reduced by at least 50% for offline papers, as many colleges are still teaching in online mode.”
The students added, “At a few remote places, internet connectivity is a major issue along with load shedding. Therefore, many students could not even complete their syllabus. They will face difficulties while writing theory papers in such cases.”
College teachers and principals accused NU administration of acting in haste for offline exams without considering the ground reality. “NU has entrusted us with offline exams where we have to set the papers, evaluate them and declare the results. It is not possible in such a short period, particularly in the absence of adequate teaching and non-teaching staff. They should have waited for Covid cases to come down further before forcing offline exams on the hapless students,” they said.
About Nagpur University
The Nagpur University was established on 4th August 1923 with six affiliated colleges and 927 students. During 1947, the number of students increased to about 9000 accompanied by the improvement and diversification of curricula and expansion in the range of subjects. The expansion of library and sports facilities occurred during these years for the intellectual and physical well being of the students. It was in 1958 that some new Departments in Arts and Social Science faculties were opened; the major expansion, however, came in 1963 when several sciences and other teaching Departments were started.