Kerala Higher Education Minister K T Jaleel on Sunday said the government has not directed state universities to schedule examinations from May 11 onwards. Universities have, however, been asked to prepare themselves by setting May 11 as tentative date they may be able to resume the pending examinations.
The revision of examination could only be prepared on the basis of the Covid-19 related emergency situation in the post lockdown period, he said. Speaking to Times of India over phone, Jaleel said it would be wrong to interpret a government order in this regard as if the higher education department in Kerala has directed all universities to schedule pending examinations form May 11. Following the interactions with vice chancellors of all universities, we have reached a collective understanding that we should start preparing for the conduct of the examinations if the nation comes out of lockdown by May 3 and other ground realities stood favourable then. Since students are now stationed at various places following the state wide shut down, we need to give them enough time to adjust themselves to the new examination schedule. So the general impression is that is that if circumstances permit, universities may start examinations by May 11, K T Jaleel said. The order also said that examinations would be conducted only subject to the approval from the health department. Hence, there was no need for any confusion, he said.
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A government order notified on Saturday created confusion among students and a section of academicians as there were interpretations that the government wanted all universities to restart examinations from May 11. There are various factors that universities would need to consider when they come out with a revised examination schedule. We are not sure how long the restrictions in hotspot restrictions would continue beyond May 3 and how in that case universities operating from such places could make arrangements for examination on amidst such restrictions. Things would be more challenging for universities like KTU with pan Kerala jurisdiction”, said sources in the higher education department. Moreover, AICTE in a set of instructions given to approved colleges has clarified on the other day that it, in association with UGC, was planning to revise the academic calendar and fresh instructions on conduct of semester examinations would be shared with them once a committee appointed for the same submits its report.
Courtesy: TOI
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