We as students of Delhi University reject the decision of online examinations as it is not in the interest of the students and the administration hasn’t given much thought to the following:
1) Many students are from Northeast India, Jammu and Kashmir and do no have access to internet connection. Many students from the SC/ST category are also facing network issues.
2) There will be many students who won’t be able to give exams because their home environment isn’t healthy or is cramped.
3) Many students who live in PG/hostels are currently in their home states due to the lockdown, living with their family.
4) Many students from an underprivileged background cannot afford the study material, let alone access to smartphones and PCs.
5) Many students are not technologically adept and cannot scan and upload on their own for the exam.
6) It is not at possible for all study material to be available online, and many students won’t be able to read the material online or get it on paper because of the absence of services like printing.
7) If the lockdown gets extended and the students happen to be in hotspots/red zones, they won’t have access to nearby shops with printing/scanning facilities, which is a necessity given the nature of the open book exam.
8) The authorities have also neglected how students with disabilities will perform in the exams.
9) Students who don’t have access to electricity won’t be able to give online exams. And even if they somehow give it, if the power goes off while uploading their answers, what then? And what if the power doesn’t come back for three hours?
According to a survey conducted by the All India Students’ Association, there are almost 75% students who cannot give online exams. Summing this up, online examination is a bad idea over all. And if the college authority has any solution regarding any of the above points, please let us know as soon as possible. These examinations are crucial in deciding the careers of the students, especially third year and post-graduate students. Students are ready to accept suggestions by coming to a conclusion through a comprehensive dialogue with the college authority.