HRD Minister defends UGC's decision on Final Year University Exams, says academic credibility and safety must be balanced

HRD Minister Defends UGC Decision on Final Year Exams: Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has defended UGC’s decision to make Final Year University Exams ‘compulsory’ for all varsities in a series of tweets sent out today. In a series of tweets sent out from his official account, he said that during the challenging times of COVID-19, a balance must be maintained between students’ safety as well as academic credibility of the Indian education system. The response from HRD Minister today, comes following severe criticism of UGC’s decision to make holding of Final Year University Exams as compulsory despite the rising number of Coronavirus cases across the country.

Academic Credibility vs Students’ Safety

Taking to twitter today, HRD Minister said that the UGC’s decision with regards to the Final Year University Exams has been taken after evaluating all the facets related to the matter by several experts. He also added that it is important for any education system to ensure trustworthiness in the education that it imparts to the students and holding of final year exams before awarding of degrees to the students, is an important milestone in this journey. He said that he understands the concerns raised by students, parents and even other stakeholders with regards to students’ safety and health; but UGC and other institutions also has to take into account factors of academic credibility, career opportunities, and future progress of students globally while taking the decision with regards to Final Year Exams.  

States Protest against Compulsory Final Year University Exams

Since the issuance of revised UGC guidelines with regards to holding of the final year university exams as compulsory for all universities in the country; the decision has been met with protests from all quarters. Students and parents, who have been worried about students’ safety, health and well-being amid the on-going pandemic, have demanded cancellation of examination. On similar lines, several state governments, including Maharashtra, Punjab and West Bengal have openly opposed the guidelines and stated they will not be able to hold exams. Earlier today, Delhi Government also cancelled university exams for all students, including final year students, for all state run varsities. Following the announcement this decision, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also wrote to PM Modi, seeking his personal intervention on the matter.