Maharashtra Govt Cancels Final Year University Exams: Amid the rising number of cases of COVID-19 in the state, Maharashtra Government has decided to cancel the final year university exams for the students this year. The decision was announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after a consultative video conference with Vice Chancellors of Universities on Sunday. According to the decision of Maharashtra Government, final year students who are to appear for the terminal semester exam this year, will be passed on the basis of aggregate marking system keeping in mind the impact of Coroanvirus pandemic and the challenges posed due to it for holding of exams.
Students to be Passed as per Aggregate Marking System
Providing more clarity about the decision, Maharashtra Government has said that instead of holding the final year exams, universities and higher education institutions in the state will be allowed to use aggregate marking system to promote students. Following his meeting with Vice Chancellors, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that “Today, we are not in a position to conduct the exams and in future when it will happen that we are not also sure. The new academic year is starting so we do not students miss their further educations and career opportunity. Those students are not happy with the mark of last semester they can reply to upgrade their mark once the situation is normal.”
Decision to impact over 5 Lakh students
The decision to cancel the exams was taken after the exams were postponed for nearly two months in the state due to COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown. The decision to cancel University Exams in Maharashtra is likely to impact over 5 Lakh students who were to appear for the Final Semester Exam 2020 across the state this year. Prior to this, the state government had already announced cancellation of first and second-year university level exams. Now with cancellation of the final semester exams as well, the state government plans to new academic year soon either through virtual mode or in-person, based on the situation that prevails in particular district.
Decision contrary to UGC, HRD Minister’s Stand
The decision of Maharashtra Government is contrary to the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission, which said that intermediate semester students can be promoted to the next academic grade; exams are compulsorily to be held for terminal semester students. In-fact the apex universities regulator had also issued a notification with revised academic calendar which said university exams were to be held in July 2020. On similar lines, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had also reiterated the same act in a series of live webinars held by him. Education is on the concurrent list, meaning both the Centre and the states have power on matters pertaining to it. However, for awarding degrees, the University Grants Commission has the final say.
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation