DU’s Sociology department proposes an alternative to open book test

NEW DELHI: Delhi University’s Department of Sociology has proposed an alternative form of end semester evaluation for the final year students in place of holding an open-book exam remotely.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the department expressed its concern about conducting online exams as several students lack internet connections and other equipment necessary for exams in that mode.

Despite efforts from the students and teachers, online mode of “the teaching-learning process” did not reap desired results, the statement further pointed out.

“The students have not only expressed to us, in writing and orally, their extreme reservation to the holding of online examinations for the award of their Degree or holding of any exams without some face to face interaction with their teachers,” the statement said.

The department is also against conducting the examination on July 1 in haste since many students do not have the necessary reading material and lecture notes.

Delhi University and online exams

The university, on May 14, issued a notice regarding conducting the examinations for final year students from July 1 onwards. In case, the condition does not improve the university also gave an option of conducting open book examination remotely.

Due to the spread of novel coronavirus, educational institutions across the country were closed down in March. A nationwide lockdown was enforced from March 25 to control the spread of COVID-19. It has been extended three times, the last time till May 31.

On April 29, the University Grants Commission, or UGC, issued guidelines on getting the academic schedule back on track and kept the option of online exams open.

Alternative evaluation

Recognising the need to award degrees to the final year students, the department has proposed to award marks to the students based on the internal assessment and an average of marks obtained in the past semesters.

“In lieu of the End Semester Examination Marks for the Semester IV, each candidate will be awarded an estimated mark which will be the simple average of End Semester Examination marks obtained by that candidate in Semesters I, II and III,” said the sociology department’ proposal.

Moreover, those students who are required to appear for an essential repeat exam will be deemed as passed. The department also proposed to increase the time span of the graduating batch and all the batches who were to take summer examinations to one year.

“The proposal outlined above will eliminate the need for holding examinations (whether online or on-site) at this time for graduating students while providing a fair and logistically viable alternative for preventing a delay in awarding of degrees,” the note added.

Also read:

• DU final year exams to begin from July 1, open book test as alternative
• Students want DU's decision on open book exams cancelled

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