Panjab University planning final-year exams 'as per students’ convenience’

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7

The Panjab University (PU) authorities are working on a plan regarding the conduct of the final-year exams for various courses.

Yesterday, the HRD Ministry gave the go-ahead for conducting the final-year examinations in universities by September-end.

However, the PU may face several hindrances in following the directions due to various factors — increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Chandigarh and neighbouring states, asking students to vacate hostels, Covid positive cases on the PU campus and hostel-turned-isolation wards on the campus.

Another major concern will be asking students to show up for the exams, especially those who have gone back home to far-off places.

Last month, the PU had sought details of students from various colleges for setting up examination centres in Punjab. However, there was no mention of the students living in other states.

The HRD Ministry, however, stated the students unable to appear in final-year exams in September would get another chance. However, if all students opt to take exams later, it may become a dicey situation for the PU.

Though officials concerned did not wish to comment on this issue, the Public Relations Department issued a statement: “The PU authorities have gone through the guidelines issued by the UGC regarding conducting of exams. The university is preparing a detailed plan for its working and implementation keeping in mind the interest and convenience of students.”

An official said: “Expecting any such decision, we had prepared two plans. We have already completed the ground work. However, Covid cases reported on the campus have put us in a doubt. The process of setting up question papers, exam centres, finding the number of students and others will be completed before this month.”

Last month, the PU announced some standard operative procedures (SOPs) expecting semester examinations in July. The guidelines allowed a maximum of 150 candidates at each centre in one session; two-hour duration for an exam; wearing a face mask compulsory for teachers; staff and students, one assistant superintendent deputed for every 15 students; downloading Aarogya Setu app; bringing own water bottle; sanitisation of building/ benches; thermal screening of candidates; social distancing; no candidate or examination staff from the red zone/containment zone; summary note of safety measures for all; and no person above 65 years of age expectant mothers or specially abled persons on duty.

Students’ take

Meanwhile, students are of a view that the ministry should take back the decision. “Any kind of situation which involves presence of several individual at one place should be avoided during the pandemic. There will be a high risk of spread,” said Aanchal, a PU student.