New Delhi: Delhi University teachers and students have slammed the varsity’s idea to conduct open-book examinations for its students online, in case the coronavirus situation does not improve in the country.
Calling it ‘discriminatory’ and ‘unfair’, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) wrote to the Vice-Chancellor demanding a pen-paper test for the students.
“It is not viable for a large university like DU, with its diverse student population. It is shocking that the institute has adopted it as the only form,” DUTA’s statement was quoted as saying by the media.
This new format could expose the students towards anxiety amid these uncertain times. Further, the issue of the internet infrastructure, cybersecurity, and devaluation of university degrees, among other issues have been raised by the teachers’ body for conducting online examinations.
According to a survey by the Indian National Teachers’ Congress (INTEC) students and teachers have never adopted this format and 45 per cent of the university’s students are from outside Delhi, most of them from rural areas.
Meanwhile, several students’ bodies such as the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) have also conducted online surveys wherein 74 per cent students expressed their disagreement over conducting online examinations.
“One can pay money to get tests solved through prior engagement of experts. It doesn’t seem to me as a workable, viable option in DU and it has less credibility,” former executive council member A K Bhagi told the media.
In the ‘open-book’ examination mode, the students will be allowed to refer to books, notes and other study materials to answer the questions. They will take the examination from home after downloading the question paper from the university’s website and upload the answers within two hours, according to guidelines.
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