Online exams expensive, have limitations: Higher education panel

LUCKNOW: The Covid-19 pandemic has driven students out of their universities and confined teachers to their homes. With this global crisis, students are grappling with completely tech-mediated teaching-learning process. The tectonic shift might be the new norm, but it has its own limitations.
After conducting online classes, a higher education committee instituted by UP governor Anandiben Patel in her capacity as the chancellor of state universities has found that holding online examinations can burden universities financially.
The 12-page report submitted to the governor clearly states that conducting online exams is extremely expensive, and would need a significant modification in the ordinances for statutory compliances. On contrary, the committee gave a thumbs up to digital evaluation, calling it a powerful, secure and efficient tool to improve quality of education.
Headed by vice-chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, the committee was constituted to chalk out an action plan to complete the academic syllabus, conduct of examinations, admissions and academic calendar of the next session in view of the lockdown because of ongoing pandemic crisis.
As per the report, classes are to be held on Sundays and other off days and only a fortnightly break be allowed to meet academic losses.
After the lockdown, the day students report to their colleges will be marked as Day Zero, read the report. It further added that from Day Zero to three weeks’ time will be given to universities to complete pending syllabus and clarify doubts.
The duration of end-semester exams will be cut short from three to two and the number of shifts will go up from two to three, mentioned the report. The practical/seminar examinations will be held by appointing examiners from nearby locations so as to prevent movements after the lockdown.
The committee stressed the need to cancel students’ elections (if there is in any state university) and some avoidable extra-curricular activities in the coming academic session 2020-21 to make up for the loss of academics.