Protest demonstration held by TDC students at Assam Univ in demand of online exam

Feb. 27: The demand for conducting TDC (CBCS) Odd Semester Examinations, 2021 has been continuing since the last few days. On Saturday, college students from the three districts of Barak Valley assembled in large numbers and sat for protest demonstration blocking entry to the main gate of Assam University, Silchar. Students of AK Chanda Law College also participated in the protest demonstration. The students raised slogans in favour of their demand of conducting the ensuing TDC Odd Semester Examination in both online and offline mode.

The agitating students also wrote a detailed memorandum addressed to the Vice Chancellor. In the absence of Prof. Dilip Chandra Nath, Vice Chancellor of Assam University, the memorandum was received by Prof. Gopalji Mishra, Vice Chancellor in-charge. Prof. Mishra tried to pacify the students but in vain. Later on, speaking to the media, the students informed that the University authorities have assured them that they will come up with an amicable solution by 4 March after discussing it with the college Principals.

The TDC (CBCS) Odd Semester Final Examinations, 2021 will commence from 9 March as per the exam schedule announced on 24 February. The examination will be conducted only in offline mode. However, the students of a number of Colleges in Barak Valley affiliated to Assam University have raised the demand of conducting the TDC (CBCS) Odd Semester examination in blended mode, that is, in both online and offline mode. It needs mention here that due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent nationwide lockdown, the TDC Even Semester Examination was conducted by Assam University in blended mode.

In the memorandum, the students stated that the pandemic situation augmented by COVID-19 is not over yet and as such, conducting the exam in online mode will ensure the safety of both the students and the teachers. They further added that as the Covid vaccine has not yet been administered to the students and the teachers, so it is very difficult to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols and sit for offline examinations.

They further alleged that when the University authorities are considering to conduct the final examination of the PG and other courses conducted in the campus in offline mode, so the same benefit should be provided to the college students also. They appealed to the Vice Chancellor to give the opportunity of appearing in online mode of examination until and unless the students and the teachers are vaccinated. In the memorandum, the students alleged, “While the University has taken care of the students within the campus, however, at the same time, they are least interested about the safety and security of the college students.”

Meanwhile, with the declaration of election schedule, things have become much more complex. Strong Room for storing EVMs are usually made in some colleges like Karimganj College. So it would become difficult for the colleges to conduct exams during this phase. As per sources, the University authorities may have to postpone atleast some of the papers of TDC CBCS examination.