Amid
lockdown, as universities mull over the option of online semester
exams, a petition is doing online rounds calling online exams
discriminatory. The petition was started by an independent student
organization based out of Delhi. So far it has got 154 supporters and
seeks to get 200.
The
petition states that taking a cue from private universities like
Amity which are conducting online exams many state universities are
resorting to the same. Public institutions are the hub of students
from a wide variety of backgrounds. The petition reasons that home
internet is available only to 12.5 % Indians as per NSSO 2014, and
the majority of students find it difficult to find a corner in their
home where they can concentrate and study.
"The
premise of any examination is that all students must be able to
prepare for it on an equal footing. The internet and digital mediums
can be used to promote such equality if this principle is valued but
without doing so, online examinations, MCQ-based 'standardized
testing' and other such alternatives only deepen the inequality of
opportunity within the education system," it says.
The
petition raises some valid points as in the past teachers and
students have come across hurdles in online education.
"I'm
signing this petition because even during online classes I face the
network issue. So I can imagine the scenario of the examination being
conducted online. And I know a few of my friends who don't even have
access to the gadgets that is android phone and laptop. And if still,
the university is going to conduct an online examination, it is going
to be a big failure," wrote a supporter who has signed the
petition.
Tags: Online Exams
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