Examinations: Letters to The Editor

Examinations

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has mandated the need for examinations to be conducted in order to award degrees. The Supreme Court has also upheld this in its verdict. But question arises that— is it feasible for a country that is still well under the grasps of the pandemic reporting an ever increasing number of positive cases and deaths due to COVID-19 everyday to hold exams?

In the past five months of lockdown, if one thing that has remained constant is the closure of educational institutions. While the country has evolved and there has been a booming rise in use of online resources to conduct classes and webinars, the reach of such methods is exclusive as there are still people who do not have access to either high-end devices or seamless network connectivity. On top of that several regions of the country have been ravaged by natural calamities, States like Assam and Bihar experiencing devastating floods. The fact that many students who had migrated to other States for their education, who will now have to travel, again raises questions on the feasibility of it all. Throughout these months of lockdown, imparting of knowledge has been erratic and exclusive, yet it seems that more emphasis is on examinations. While it cannot be argued that conducting examinations for awarding degrees is necessary, does it have to come at the cost of the lives of students?

The importance of examinations cannot be argued, but at the other end of the spectrum are lives of students, their mental and physical well-being. Cases of student suicides have increased and yet their mental state of being is ignored. The honourable Prime Minister has mentioned how India as a country has grown during the pandemic, mass producing essential items like PPE kits; can the same infrastructural development not happen in the education sector? Thus concluding, I would like to raise concern towards the fact that in the entire decision making, perhaps the party most affected is being neglected. The fact that the IPL could not be held in the country due to the situation of pandemic, yet lakhs of students are forced to appear for examinations, is really sad. The well-being of students should be the priority.

Soumyadeep Das,

Ulubari, Guwahati-7

Gaonburhas in Assam

It is pertinent to mention that the nature of duties and tour of duty for a Gaonburha in Assam is dynamic and challenging one. Every job has a ceiling of working hour but they don't have such ceiling. They are deployed for assisting land revenue collection and various misc jobs under the Revenue Department. In addition to these, NRC, election related task and many more are their area of responsibility.

These people are paid Rs 6,500 (approximately) per month whereas the minimum wage of an unskilled labourer in Assam is Rs 8471.4 per month (Ref No MWC.3/93/Part II/6399 dated 23 Jun 2020 issued by Labour Commissioner, Assam). I speculate how do they manage their daily needs? The Government of Assam must consider the fact compassionately and a decent wage may be approved for a dignified and healthy life.

Firoz Ahmed,

Palam, New Delhi-45

Unsatisfactory solution

Shutdown is not a sensible solution, keeping in view the dwindling economy. Difficulties of the sufferers cannot be overlooked in the name of battling against COVID-19. Instead, precautions should be the primary focus. Shutdown is the only measures the government has resorted to, ignoring the outcomes and reasonable steps. Reforming the strategy is vital.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog, Barpeta

VISHVAS for deprived sections

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will be going to launch 'Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargo Ke Liye Arthik Sahayta Yojana' (VISHVAS) scheme for underprivileged sections. In this scheme beneficiaries who have brought bank loans will receive a five per cent subsidy per annum through direct cash transfer. It is a brilliant step towards Digital India and will create more transparency on cash transfer. Hope that bankers come forward and extend their assistance to this scheme. Moreover, the state governments should too launch such schemes to provide livelihood opportunities for deprived classes and empower them.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Social media

It is very sad and depressing that many people in social media behave very irresponsibly and almost all the time many get involved in mudslinging at each other. This is not only about the common people, but even many renowned personalities show abusive behaviour very frequently. To some extent, Facebook, Twitter etc., are acting as mirrors to the society as a whole. Spending some time through numerous posts, comments and other items on social media can give us a good picture of how immature, irresponsible, undemocratic people we really are. Social media has provided us an easily accessible platform to express our views. But this platform is mainly being used to unleash the wild, cheaply emotional, intolerant animals in us. We don't gain anything by becoming abusive, indecent, and hateful in social media; we only make the atmosphere toxic for everybody. We should stop blaming the government and the stars for everything and should try to correct ourselves if we want a better world for us and the next generations.

Yashowanta Nipun,

Bangalore,