Chennai, July 11 (UNI) Expressing inability to conduct the final semester exams by September in view of the COVID-19 pandemic,Tami Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday urged the Centre to give the liberty to States to work out its own assessment methods without compromising on the quality and academic credibility.
In a Demi-Official letter to Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal,
he said many States in the country have decided not to conduct the
final semester examinations.
'In order to ensure career opportunities, future prospects and
to simultaneously safeguard the principles of health, safety,
fair and equal opportunity for students, the States may be given
the freedom to work out its own assessment methods, without
compromising on the quality and academic credibility', he said.
He also requested him to direct the respective apex authorities
like University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for
Technical Education (AICTE), Council of Architecture (COA),
Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), National Council of Teachers
Education (NCTE) and National Council for Hotel Management and
Catering Technology to endorse the decisions of the respective
State Governments, which would be based on the local prevailing
COVID 19 conditions.
'This would go a long way in rendering justice and fairness to
the parents and the students, during these distressful times',
Mr Palaniswami added.
Pointing out that the Covid-19 pandemic was showing a surge in
various parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu, he said his
government has been taking all required measures to contain the
spread of disease, as well as to provide comprehensive treatment
to the infected people.
Though the efforts of the Government has borne good results, any
minor let up may still pose a challenge to the State, he said and
added that due to the progressive policies of the State Government,
Tamil Nadu has the highest Gross Enrollment Ratio of 49 per cent
among the States, resulting in large number of students studying
in various Universities, Colleges and Polytechnics.
Though we had scheduled their semester examinations in April this
year, it could not be conducted as scheduled because of Covid-19
pandemic.
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