Citing COVID situation, Punjab CM writes to PM urging review of UGC guidelines on exams
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has written to the Prime Minister seeking permission to let the State Government adhere to its July 3 decision on cancellation of university/college examinations in view of the exponentially rising COVID cases.
In his letter, the Chief Minister has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advise the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to reconsider its decision on mandatory conduct of final term exams by September.
“UGC may be asked to reiterate its earlier issued guidelines of April 29, 2020, wherein it had been clearly mentioned that the guidelines were advisory in nature and each State/University would chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to Covid-19 pandemic,” he urged the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister also noted that the state government, after due deliberation and taking into account the Covid19 situation and attendant issues of safety of students and staff, had on July 3, 2020, decided to cancel all pending UG and PG final term examinations and to promote students on the basis of performance in previous years/semesters.
“In addition, we have also allowed the conduct of examinations for the purpose of improvement of grades for interested students, once the situation becomes conducive,” Captain Amarinder pointed out. He stressed that “This would ensure academic credibility, career opportunities, future prospects and fair and equal opportunity for students in both urban and rural areas.”
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The State Higher Education Minister has already written to the Union HRD Minister on July 10, 2020, in this regard, the Chief Minister, who had earlier said he will approach the Prime Minister on this issue, pointed out in the letter.
-PTC News
