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The #Covid19 crisis has brought everyday life to a standstill in India. With the number of cases and death toll rising everyday, and several states rethinking an extended lockdown, students across the nation are left unsure about classes and exams.
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After many online protests by parents and students alike, #CBSE recently cancelled the pending Class 10 and 12 exams. But many universities across India still haven& #39;t cancelled #OnlineExams, despite multiple protests by college students. So why are students protesting?
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#OnlineClasses and #OnlineExams have aggravated the existing class and caste divide. Around 60% of the Indian population doesn’t own a smartphone. A stable internet connection might be even harder to obtain.
(4/n) https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/06/25/online-exams-are-a-bad-idea-but-some-universities-are-holding-them-anyway">https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/06/2...
(4/n) https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/06/25/online-exams-are-a-bad-idea-but-some-universities-are-holding-them-anyway">https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/06/2...
Additionally, not all students have access to books, notes and online resources to appear for the #OnlineExams. Students like Theophilus Mashangva, a final-year student at #DelhiUniversity, face a special challenge. He has been quarantined at an isolation facility.
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Mashangva is dealing with no internet connection, poor network reception, and frequent power cuts. He must remain quarantined for another 28 days. His village, situated near Myanmar border, is also completely sealed due to the outbreak.
(6/n) https://www.newindianexpress.com/education/2020/jun/29/discriminatory-delhi-university-goes-for-open-book-exams-but-what-does-it-mean-for-students-2162807.html">https://www.newindianexpress.com/education...
(6/n) https://www.newindianexpress.com/education/2020/jun/29/discriminatory-delhi-university-goes-for-open-book-exams-but-what-does-it-mean-for-students-2162807.html">https://www.newindianexpress.com/education...
The mental stress due to the #DigitalDivide has also affected underprivileged students severely. Earlier this month, a 17-year old girl died by suicide in Punjab& #39;s Mansa district because she couldn& #39;t afford a smartphone for online classes.
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In a similar case, a Dalit teen died by suicide after she was unable to attend #OnlineClasses. Her father, a daily wage labourer, couldn& #39;t afford access to the internet.
(8/n) https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/unable-access-online-classes-indian-girl-commits-suicide-200603035732974.html">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...
(8/n) https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/unable-access-online-classes-indian-girl-commits-suicide-200603035732974.html">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...
For Kashmiri students, the ban on high-speed internet in Kashmir along with internet shutdown following tensions in the valley, has further worsened the situation.
(9/n) https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/now-slow-speed-internet-hampers-online-exams-of-students/">https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kash...
(9/n) https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/now-slow-speed-internet-hampers-online-exams-of-students/">https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kash...
Following #CBSE& #39;s decision, college students& #39; demand to #ScrapOBE have gained momentum, but largely remains ignored by the administration. Delhi University& #39;s decision to postpone #OnlineExams has also been condemned by Delhi University Teachers& #39; Association.
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Student organisations like @PinjraTod too, have been campaigning against Delhi University& #39;s decision to conduct #OnlineExams for final-year students.
(11/n) https://twitter.com/PinjraTod/status/1275055077141516290">https://twitter.com/PinjraTod...
(11/n) https://twitter.com/PinjraTod/status/1275055077141516290">https://twitter.com/PinjraTod...
While only a few universities have cancelled exams, many still seem reluctant to do the same for this semester, even if they lack the digital infrastructure for conducting #OnlineExams.
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#OnlineClasses and #OnlineExams might seem the most suitable resort, but they shouldn& #39;t come at the cost of students who are denied access to resources to appear for the same.
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