Tamil Nadu CM writes to HRD Minister; Seeking Alternative Assessment Method

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami urged the Central Government on July 11, 2020 to work out its own assessment methods for final semester students without compromising on the quality and academic credibility.

UGC guidelines released stated that all the educational institutions have to compulsorily conduct final semester examinations by September.

In the letter written to HRD minister Nishank, the TN chief minister said that many government and private arts, science, engineering, polytechnics and other institutions of higher learning have been converted into COVID care centres and may continue this way for some more time.

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He also added that many students reside outside the district and even some reside outside the country, so it won't be feasible to hold the examinations and not to forget the digital access issue while conducting the examinations.

Palaniswami said, "If we are in a position to conduct the examinations even after waiting till September 2020, it will jeopardize the future of the students who are in their final year. Moreover, it will affect the future of the students who were recruited through campus placement, who applied for abroad studies and have to join in October 2020, after the ban on international travel lifts up."

Tamil Nadu CM requested the HRD minister Nishank to direct the respective apex bodies like UGC, Council of Architecture, Pharmacy Council of India, National Council of Teachers Education, AICTC and National Council for HM and Catering Technology to endorse the decisions of the state governments, which would be based on the local prevailing pandemic situation.

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