The coronavirus is at its zenith of ‘prowess’ in the country and it will be rather unjust to restrict focus only on the first-hand sufferers which are public health and economy. Time has come to assess the quantum of negative impact of the pandemic on the education sector also since it involves the academic future of millions of students. Although an exact assessment of national educational loss caused by Covid is yet to arrive, after the zero-academic phase involving several months, it’s clear that the impact has been deep. The recent nationwide furore that has erupted over the UGC directive making it compulsory to complete the terminal semester/final year examinations of 2019-20 academic year, has however, compelled the entire country to cast attention on a fundamental issue, which is, making the right choice between life and education.
Wide differences have cropped up in academic quarters after UGC in its July 6 guidelines made it compulsory to finish off examinations by September end, by a mix of modes which are offline i.e. pen & paper or online or a composition of the both. The instruction, in exact legal context i.e Section 12 of UGC Act 1956 is binding in nature on all affiliated colleges and institutions and it is quite visible that UGC, as of now is not in a mood to withdraw it even if there are repeated appeals from the student community across the country and several state governments as well. To defend the move, UGC has reasoned that en masse promotion without examination will downgrade the employability prospects of the batch. There can’t be any doubt about the noble intention of this standing in general connotation since it is aimed at safeguarding the pupils’ overall future. But, specific to the current context when life has come to a virtual standstill due to the pandemic and successive lockdowns, the ground realities will hardly conform to UGC’s honest objective. Nobody has the slightest idea what will be the Covid-19 picture in coming September. Also, the fact that online mode of exam is not feasible to a good extent in various parts of the country, especially in the Northeast must not be overlooked and a blanket imposition of the directive across the country will be hard to implement. Rather, various experts have correctly pointed out that cancelling the exams will have dual advantages- wiping out the prevailing uncertainty faced by the students and at the same time effecting an equal academic treatment for all examinees of the batch.
UGC must take a balanced decision fast. But, the sentiments and safety needs of the students must not be ignored. In life vs education, the former always needs to be prioritised.  

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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