Online Exams or Mass Promotion?Undergraduate of Jammu University Graduate students suffer from uncertainty.

Mohmmad Ashfaq

Lockdown and corona virus have created uncertainty all over the world as well as in India due to which the education sector, along with other areas of life, is in a state of turmoil.

Jammu University students are in a similar situation. Uncertainty has deeply affected their minds. They are unable to understand whether the university will take their online exams or rely on mass promotion. They are also afraid of how they will prepare for the exams if the university will take online exams. The more worrying issue is that a major chunk of students studying in degree colleges affiliated to the University of Jammu do not even possess a smartphone or laptop. They are worried about how they can take online exams without these facilities.

Talking to The State observer, a student at Government Degree College, Kishtwar, alleged that undergraduate students were suffering from uncertainty and did not understand how to prepare for online exams. Because they have not been able to attend a single class yet and on the other hand due to low internet speed they are not able to attend online classes. The student added that she does not understand whether they will prepare for the semester exams or wait for the mass promotion. This uncertainty has deeply affected their minds.

The State Observer contacted Dr Namsheed Ahmad, an assistant professor at Government Degree College Doda to inquire about the plight of the students. He said that the university officials have not yet reached a final decision but given the situation around, after the online classes which were taken by the college teachers through various platforms like Google meet, Webex, Zoom and Whatsapp, online exams are more likely to be conducted. He further added that because of the slow speed of internet and the unavailability of smartphones and laptops, the duration and method of the examination would be made more flexible or can be extended to five or seven days to reach all students. He appealed to the students to stay in touch with their teachers and prepare themselves as the examination may be held soon. He further assured them not to panic as the university and the college fraternity is well aware of their problems and any decision taken would be student friendly.