2 teachers of Women’s College tests +ve, Principal unconcerned & violates letter of dist administration

April 26: With the onset of the second wave of coronavirus, the number of Covid-19 positive cases are gradually increasing even in Cachar district. In the last two consecutive days, 216 positive cases were detected in Cachar district. On Monday evening, till 6 PM, Cachar registered 61 positive cases and death of Covid positive patient at Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH). However, inspite of such a spike, the College Principals and the Assam University authorities are adamant in continuing the ongoing TDC (CBCS) Odd Semester Examination in offline mode.

Meanwhile, two teachers of Women’s College, Silchar also tested positive for Covid-19. One of them is a faculty member of the Department of History and the other is from Department of Bengali. Both these teachers are in home isolation. A situation of panic is now prevailing among the teaching community and the students of the college.

The Cachar District Administration in a letter addressed to all Principals of the district on 19 April, 2021 expressed the apprehension that, “Conduct of Offline Examination may worsen the situation” and thereafter urged upon the Principals “to take up the matter with the higher authority.” However, during a special meeting of the Standing Committee of Academic Council of Assam University on 26 April, Dr. Manoj Kumar Paul, Principal of Women’s College in the capacity of the President of Assam College Principals’ Forum (ACPC), Assam University Zone insisted upon taking the exam on 27 April and also continue with the rest exams in offline mode. This was alleged by Chandan Paul Choudhury and Rajat Shubro Paul, Central Executive Committee members of Assam College Teachers’ Association (ACTA), Cachar Zone, who were also a part of the Standing Committee meeting. This they said “was in sharp violation to the letter issued by the district administration on 19 April.”

Also Read: Conduct of offline exams may worsen the situation, writes ADC Cachar to College Principals

Sudarshan Gupta, former President of ACTA and member of Academic Council of the University also expressed dissatisfaction of the anti-student and anti-teacher role played by Dr Paul during the Standing Committee Meeting on Monday. Mr. Gupta said, “We categorically stated that keeping in mind the present situation, the ongoing examinations should be postponed from 27 April onwards till the normalisation of the situation or till further orders. But the Principal of Women’s College spoke in favour of continuation of the examination and that too in offline mode risking the lives of students and teachers. Two of our teachers in Women’s College have already tested positive. Such irresponsible act on the part of the college authority will risk the lives of more of our colleagues.”

Sudarshan Gupta further said, “Even the Principal of GC College though said in the meeting to postpone the exams but at the same time also urged upon to explore possibilities of taking rest of the exams in staggered manner, but in offline mode.” Mr Gupta further said that even the staggered way of conducting offline exam will invite risks both for the students and also for the teachers.

Dr. Apratim Nag, another member of the Standing Committee also expressed great displeasure at the role played by Dr. Manoj Kumar Paul in today’s meeting. Each student is valuable for us. We just can’t afford to risk their lives. He said, “If any adverse situation arises, then the Principal shall be solely responsible.”

However, the matter which came to light was that Principal Radhamadhab College, Silchar and Principal of Karimganj College categorically stated that Dr. Manoj Kumar Paul, President of Assam College Principals’ Forum (ACPC), Assam University Zone did not consult with anyone of us before speaking in favour of continuing exam in offline mode. Though these Principals were not a part of today’s meeting, but they categorically stated that what Dr Paul said was purely his personal opinion and need not reflect the stand of the ACPC. Now, the million dollar question is how can the President of ACPC express such personal opinion in a meeting where he is representing all the Principals?

In a written note, ACTA Cachar & Karimganj-Hailakandi Zone has jointly taken a resolution condemning the role played by the Principal of Women’s College, Silchar in the Standing Committee meeting on Monday. They wrote, “We strongly condemn the anti-student & anti-teacher attitude exhibited by the Principal of a College who ought to have considered the well-being of the students, teachers and staff. The violation of the letter of the district administration by the Principal is also very unfortunate. When the district administration clearly stated that offline exam can further worsen the situation and the matter should be taken up with the higher authority, the President of ACPC spoke in favour of continuing the exams and that too in offline mode.”