Bhubaneswar: Students of the BJB Autonomous College in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday staged a demonstration demanding cancellation of the sixth and final semester examinations of the Plus III streams in view of the spread of coronavirus.
Talking to the media, the students questioned the decision of the Utkal University to conduct the examinations in June and July which have been described by the state government as crucial months to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
They reasoned that if the examinations are held, the students staying outside Bhubaneswar will return by bus or train, stay in the hostels and interact with others. It will not only violate the social distancing norm but also give scope to the spread of coronavirus.
Secondly, they will write in the answer sheets which will be signed by the invigilators during the examinations. Besides, there is no system in place to conduct corona test of the students in the college or the hostels, the students of the premier college of the Capital City said.
Considering these factors, they demanded that the government should either cancel the semester examinations or make alternative arrangements.
The Higher Education Department had directed the Utkal University to conduct the Plus III final semester examinations.
Notably, the authorities of Rama Devi Women’s University on Monday postponed the final semester examinations of the Plus III streams by 15 days following protest by students.