Madhurima
NEW DELHI: Delhi University's probable plans to conduct online examinations for 6th semester have begun to face friction even before it could take steps. a bunch of professors alongside various students have begun to raise concerns with the probable plan.
The teachers cited a letter by the Dean of Faculty of Technology at Delhi University to the Vice-Chancellor that suggested the DU administration hand over plans for online examinations.
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The teachers argue that rather than specializing in online examinations, the varsity administration must focus on extending the academic calendar and taking sit-in examinations.
The group of teachers called Academics for Action and Development (AAD) shared the concern raised by the Dean, Faculty of Technology, University of Delhi, Sachin Maheshwari who within a letter to Vice-Chancellor of DU spoke about the conduct of online examinations by the university without taking into consideration the concerns of the stakeholders, i.e. the university students and teachers, and without consulting the statutory bodies, the chief Council and therefore the Academic Council.
In the letter Maheshwari states, "Apart from genuinely feeling for the academic loss of wards, other nefarious reasons involving financial, political interests etc cannot be ruled out. in the wake of this situation, a number of the software companies are out there in luring academic leaders to acquire extensive software citing some untested functionalities."
The letter also cites Double Bench Judgment of the Supreme Court in 2017, which might raise legal questions regarding credit-earning through distance mode.
AAD through targeted the recent crash of DU server on the very first day that it called for filling up the web exam form portal.
"The insensitivity shown by the administration towards students stuck in remote areas with poor connectivity issue is condemnable. The university should wait for students to return back to Delhi after the lockdown has lifted, give few days of actual teaching before commencing the examination process," AAD said. Thirdly, with several instances of online security being compromised while using apps like Zoom also raises serious concerns about hacking and inappropriate behaviour.
Addressing the media through video conferencing, Rajesh Jha who is additionally a member of the chief council said, "Why does one want to look forward to online exams, you do not have proper infrastructure plus the govt. is yet to make a decision on extending the academic calendar. I feel it's an effort to line a precedent which other central universities will follow, keeping aside the welfare of students."
He claimed that during a meeting called at the south campus to debate the prospectus of online examinations, 17 Deans of various faculties of the Delhi University unanimously voted out the choice and voiced for sit-in exams after the lockdown is over.
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Delhi University, however, maintained that "for now online examinations were the sole option left". It though claimed that the ultimate decision is going to be taken only after the committees formed by the UGC and MHRD submit their reports on the ways out for the education system.
