Amid Teachers Strike, GNDU says No Online Exam in this Semester datesheet released within 10 days
Amritsar: No online exams, varsity to release datesheet within 10 days, The ongoing teachers strike across the state is set to disturb the examination schedule for the current odd semester conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU). As all teaching and non-teaching activities have been called off by the protesting teachers, GNDU is considering its options before they plan the schedule for the coming examinations that usually begin in mid-December.
This will be the second consecutive year when the normal course of examinations stands to be delayed or disturbed as last year the pandemic-induced lockdown had delayed the conduct of semester examinations.
With other universities in the state, including Panjab University and IKGPTU, already announcing online examinations under the given situation, GNDU has ruled out any such move. “The question of online examinations does not arise as we have been conducting offline classes since August 16 onwards. Considering the situation, we are planning to release the examination date sheet within 10 days. Syllabus is not the issue here, but participation of teachers is required for conducting the examinations offline. Naturally, with teachers on strike, it might cause delays,” said Prof Manoj Kumar, Controller of Examinations, GNDU.
While most affiliated and constituent colleges were expecting practical exams to begin by December 15, the ongoing strike has moved the date sheet forward by at least 10 days. Prof Manoj said they were hopeful that the situation with teachers might find a solution in three-four days. “We are keeping our watch on the cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday. We hope the government considers student welfare and future academic discourse. The teachers’ strike is also not a good signal for the future of higher education as according to the UGC guidelines, 90 days of regular classes are required for the semester system. If teaching remains suspended for more days, the legitimacy of the course can be revoked or challenged.” He also termed the teachers’ strike justified. “They have been waiting for years for the 7th Pay Commission pay grades. Their demands must be taken seriously if the quality of higher education in the state has to improve,” he said.
Meanwhile, the teachers’ strike entered its 11th day as they blamed the government for giving empty assurances. Gurdas Sekhon, a teacher from DAV College and member of the district unit of PFUCTO, said if the education of students was affected, then the government would be responsible for that. “The government should shun its obstinate attitude and fulfill the teachers’ demands. The policies of the Punjab Government are completely wrong. We will not end the strike until our demands are met,” he said.
Dr BB Yadav of PFUCTO said the teachers of Punjab and Chandigarh were suffering financial loss due to non-implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. The Seventh Pay Commission recommendations were not implemented even in Himachal Pradesh as the rules of Punjab were implemented in Himachal.
Dr Yadav said according to the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, 50 per cent of the fund was to be given by the University Grants Commission to the Punjab Government for teachers’ salaries.
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