UGC To SC: Holding Final Term Exams Vital For Academic Future of Students

UGC also submitted before the apex court that the decision has been taken keeping in mind the health and safety of students and courts should not normally intervene in academic decisions and policies concerning standards and quality of education.

Shivani Arora
Published on: 31 July 2020 6:56 AM GMT
UGC To SC: Holding Final Term Exams Vital For Academic Future of Students
X
UGC: Holding Final Term Exams Vital For Academic Future of Students

Supreme Court has accepted the petition by 31 students against the UGC guidelines to conduct the final year examination in all the universities. The University Grants Commission (UGC) submitted its reply to the Court. The SC bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and MR Shah had issued notice to UGC on Monday.

The July 6 directive by University Grants Commission (UGC) asking universities across the country to hold final year/ terminal semester examinations by the end of September is intended to protect the academic future of students which will be irreparably damaged if the examinations are not held, the UGC told the Supreme Court on Thursday.

UGC:

The UGC also submitted before the apex court that the decision has been taken keeping in mind the health and safety of students and courts should not normally intervene in academic decisions and policies concerning standards and quality of education.

ALSO READ: UGC To Submit Reply To SC within 3 days; Next Hearing on July 31

“All universities/ institutions in the country are obligated to conduct terminal semester/ final year examination by the end of September 2020. The UGC took the decision to protect the academic future of students across the country while also keeping in mind their health and safety”, the affidavit filed by UGC said.

The petitioners have demanded the apex court to consider scrapping online/offline test and instead direct UGC to declare results by July 31 based on their past performance or internal assessment.

ALSO READ: Modi Cabinet renames MHRD as ‘Ministry of Education’

COVID-19

The UGC had, on April 29, published guidelines for universities to follow regarding holding of examinations.

As per the guidelines, universities could conduct the examinations in online or offline mode. And by ensuring adherence to social distancing guidelines.

ALSO READ: Unlock 3.0: Educational Institutes To Remain Closed Till August 31

The UGC directive adequately account for the evolving situation of Covid-19 pandemic. As sufficient time is provided to conduct the examinations after following the prescribed procedures and protocols relating to Covid-19.

ALSO READ: DU’s Academic Session To Commence From August 10

“It gives sufficient flexibility to universities to conduct exams online offline or blended (online and offline) mode. And provide for examination through special chance for students who are unable to appear for the examinations by September 2020. Concerns of the petitioners have been more than adequately addressed by UGC,” the affidavit added.

Stay tuned with the newstrack to get fastest updates.

Click @englishnewstrack to follow us on Facebook.

and @newstrackmedia to follow on Twitter.

Shivani Arora

Shivani Arora

Next Story