Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 12: If everything had gone ahead as planned, by now, the degree examinations would have concluded. In normal course, one could have witnessed the final year degree students putting in efforts to either hunt for a job or get admissions for higher education. But for the last couple of years, uncertainty has remained the hallmark of the student life.

Usually, by now, the annual calendar of degree classes of Mangalore University would have come to an end by now. But this year, out of the two semesters of a year, even the first semester exam has not yet been completed. First semester of the first year degree course, third semester of the second year degree students, and fifth semester exam of the final year students have not been completed. Even though these exams started in April, because of the lockdown, they were stopped in between.

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In the meanwhile, online classes relating to the next semester have begun from May 10. Currently online classes are going on for 90 percent of the syllabus while for the remaining ten percent, offline classes are on. Some students have a grouse about the online classes, and they say they cannot understand online classes.

The first and second year degree students can somehow complete their classes and examinations. But final year students are a worried lot. On one hand, they do not know when their classes will end, whether to go for higher education, and if they opt to work, whether enough employment opportunities are available. Many who have completed their degree have failed to bag a proper job. The students are in two minds about opting for higher education, as they are worried about coronavirus lockdown pouring cold water on their dreams.

The university says that pending exams can be held till the end of June if the coronavirus fully comes under control, exams can be held during mid-July. There is no consensus on whether to hold the remaining exams or the semester exam of the current period. Discussions whether online exams are possible are also going on. It is possible to hold online exams by providing multiple choices. State higher education council's instructions will be final and they will have to be followed by the university, sources say.

Before the offline classes are started, the students need to be administered with the first dose of the vaccine. This can reduce infections in the colleges. But currently vaccination programme for the people over 18 is suspended. If it is resumed soon, it will come as a boon. There is also a demand to organize vaccination camps in the respective colleges after the ends, so that the students get some protection from the infection.

Mangalore University vice chancellor Prof P S Yadapadithaya, says that the state higher education council with higher education minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan at the helm, will take a decision. Once the decision is taken, classes and exams will be held as per guidelines. At least 15 days would be needed to make advance preparations if exams are to be held, he explained.