Sarthak Kanjilall & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, September 04: Several colleges in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands affiliated to the Pondicherry University are all set to conduct university exams from 14 September 2020. A thumbs-up to Pondicherry University for conducting the exams at this time of the pandemic has brought tremendous criticism.
According to the parents some local colleges affiliated to the Pondicherry University are going ahead with the examination at this time of pandemic and restrictions, which will bring immense hardships for the students.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, a parent of the ward studying in Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya, Port Blair, said that he is residing in Great Nicobar, and sending his daughter to Port Blair is a matter of great risk.
“The ships are already sailing with 50% capacity, if the exams are conducted now she has to leave the district well in advance, where will she stay as most of the hostels are either taken over by the administration for COVID care centers or are in the list of probable COVID care centre? There is no arrangement for foods for kids in these hostels and moreover there is always a threat of COVID19 infection. Can administration assure all help in written?” questioned the parent on condition of anonymity.
A few parents questioned that how come such a green light was given by the authorities to the university without even thinking about the problems being faced by thousands of interisland students.
Sadly during the time of pandemic even some relatives of these students at Port Blair are not willing to take risk and give accommodation to the students.
“If at all the authorities said an okay to the university for conducting the exams, then they must have their examination centers in all the districts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as this may help the poor parents save money for their wards’ COVID tests, lodging and boarding etc,” said Mr. Dipankar Mistry, Adhyaksh, North and Middle Andaman Zilla Parishad.
This decision of the Pondicherry University authorities in the Islands has also not gone well with the Up-Adhyaksh, South Andaman Zilla Parishad, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Grewal also.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Grewal said that appearing for the exams won’t be a big deal for the students who reside in the South Andaman District, however, this decision will bring a bundle of problems for the students of the Pondicherry University-affiliated colleges in these Islands, residing either in North Middle Andaman or the Nicobar District.
“First of all traveling for exams on time will be a concern, second the poor parents who are already in distress due to the pandemic won’t be able to take the financial burden of their wards for sending them for exams, third conducting such exams at this time will somewhere or the other surely spread of the virus and safety will be a big concern,” said Mr. Grewal.
Mr. Grewal further said that there are many more drawbacks and it is necessary that the educational institutions under the Pondicherry University in these Islands defer the exams for some more time.
