There has been a spike in COVID 19 cases and there are already predictions that there will be a peak in the rate of cases in the month of July. The Opposition to the decision of holding the exam next month is getting louder. Days after protests by teachers and students went unheard then a group of students approached the High Court for intervention. Students will have to share mess and washrooms in hostels.
Meanwhile protests on streets continue daily. Protests started after there was a declaration that 1.60 lakh students will have to appear in 170 colleges which are enrolled in the University. LU has reported positive cases in three LU teachers and several positive cases in students. As the number of cases has crossed 900, there are 69 containment zones as of date. Experts predict a further rise.
The LU Teachers Association has written to the chief minister and deputy chief minister for postponement of examinations. There are questions aplenty about what will happen if there is an outbreak like the PAC barracks or the government helpline building.
Landlords are not ready to give rooms on rent to students. Risk is high in intracity and intercity travel. Question papers and answer sheets cannot be sanitized. Social distancing and thermal scanning of students remains a challenge. Students in containment zones cannot appear in exams.
Reportedly in such times, teachers will have to walk up to the seat of the student and sign the paper. Anti copying measures like frisking is not possible.
In a petition filed by one Jatin Katiyar and 22 other students demands have been raised for en masse promotion of students amid the COVID-disrupted academic session.
Students argue the examination controller has issued a schedule without going through effect of COVID-19 for which trains are not running causing problems for varsity students.
The students have questioned the success of online classes by the university. They have cited examples of IIT, Kanpur and Delhi University and other institutions.
Meanwhile the Allahabad High Court on June 26 asked LU administration to consider a plea by the students for cancellation of the upcoming final year university exams.
Many students did not have laptops, desktops or a smartphone to attend online classes.
In the meantime the Lucknow University sticks to its decsision of holding an exam from July 7. Despite all Opposition, the University administration is in the mood to continue with what it planned.
Joining the growing chorus of voices against the move, the NSUI staged a strong demonstration in the university and shouted slogans against the university administration.
Apart from exam cancellation, they also want student fees to be waived off. NSUI protestsed at the backdrop of similar protests by the Samajwadi Party student team Yuvjan Sabha.
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