A day after the Jamia Milia Islamia University announced to conduct the semester examination via online mode from December 21 onwards, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) has demanded the varsity to relook into its decision as many students does not have the laptop, smartphone or internet connectivity.
In a letter to the JMIU Vice Chancellor, NSUI National Secretary Lokesh Chugh said, “We demand the examination body and the government to relook the guidelines issues for the end term examination. The examination guidelines mention some of the points which are not at all feasible for a majority of the student population appearing for the exams.”
In his letter, he pointed out that approximately 50 per cent of the students belong to the SC, ST, and OBC categories. “The underprivileged section doesn’t have the basic requirement of a laptop, computer, and smartphone which has been made compulsory in the guidelines. Now we want to ask the concerned authorities what will happen to the student who doesn’t have the facility of a computer and laptop or a smartphone,” Chugh said.
The NSUI leader further pointed out that another problem lies in the point wherein the guidelines mention that it is totally the student’s responsibility to take care of proper internet connection, and any other problem pertaining to the examination. It is practically not possible for any student to predict what will be the situation of internet connectivity.
He said, “There are a lot of places in India where the government themselves claims that they provide 2G connection then how will the students of that area be able to appear for the exams. We request the authorities to also give an option to opt for offline mode. So that every student will be able to appear for the exam.”
He urged the government and the authorities to revisit the guidelines and lay down some practical guidelines which will cater to every section of the student population.
“If not then NSUI being the responsible student union will be bound to take the matters on-road and protest for the benefit and rights of the students,” Chugh added.