A petition calls online exams Discriminatory

A petition calls online exams Discriminatory

Amid lockdown, as universities mull over the option of online semester exams, a petition is doing online rounds calling online exams discriminatory. The petition was started by an independent student organization based out of Delhi. So far it has got 154 supporters and seeks to get 200. The petition states that taking a cue from private universities like Amity which are conducting online exams many state universities are resorting to the same. Public institutions are the hub of students from a wide variety of backgrounds. The petition reasons that home internet is available only to 12.5 % Indians as per NSSO 2014, and the majority of students find it difficult to find a corner in their home where they can concentrate and study. "The premise of any examination is that all students must be able to prepare for it on an equal footing. The internet and digital mediums can be used to promote such equality if this principle is valued but without doing so, online examinations, MCQ-based 'standardized testing' and other such alternatives only deepen the inequality of opportunity within the education system," it says. The petition raises some valid points as in the past teachers and students have come across hurdles in online education. "I'm signing this petition because even during online classes I face the network issue. So I can imagine the scenario of the examination being conducted online. And I know a few of my friends who don't even have access to the gadgets that is android phone and laptop. And if still, the university is going to conduct an online examination, it is going to be a big failure," wrote a supporter who has signed the petition.