While students of private universities have been allowed to sit for online examinations, public universities have not decided on it as yet, throwing thousands of students into uncertainty.
Besides, private universities are also going to allow their students to sit for practical examinations through attending respective institutions physically in order to complete their ongoing semester.
As a result, inequality between students in private and public universities will increase further, experts said.
According to members of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Commission has given permission to private universities to conduct practical examinations on the ground of special consideration.
The same permission will be given to public universities only if the proposal is approved at their (universities) respective academic councils, a UGC member said.
“The vice-chancellors of the private universities attended a virtual meeting with the UGC on Tuesday. The permission to conduct practical examinations was given at the meeting. The decision has been made in order protect the students from loss and uncertainty,” said UGC member Professor Dr Muhammad Alamgir.
However, about the permission, UGC Member Dr Dil Afroza Begum told Bangladesh Post, “We have just made a policy decision. No notification has been issued until now in this regard.”
Replying to a query, she said, “If public university authorities decide to conduct practical examinations physically, and if their academic councils approve it, only then permission will be given.”
Earlier on April 30, the UGC gave permission to conduct online examinations under several guidelines.
After the permission, the students of these universities have passed at least 2 semesters since last March.
On the other hand, even though the online classes are going on, public university students have not completed any semester since March.
As a result, thousands of students in public universities, especially, who were in the last semester or about to finish their final year examinations at the time of the pandemic’s start are passing their time in deep frustration.
Shameem Fatema, a final year student of University of Chattogram told Bangladesh Post, “Universities were shut when we were just two exams away from finishing the honours final year. We are lagging behind a lot compared to private university students.”
“I cannot apply for any job because of not getting a result,” she said, adding, “Now; I am totally frustrated as I do not know when the exams will resume.”
Although some private university students welcome the decision to conduct online examinations, many of them have raised questions about the quality of online classes as well as examinations.
UGC Member Sazzad Hossain told Bangladesh Post, “The commission has given a 14-point guideline where it has been mentioned on how and what way private universities will conduct online examinations. At most 10 students can attend practical examinations maintaining hygiene rules.”
He also said, “We have also given separate guidelines for public universities. Now, the academic committee, dean’s committee and exam committee of the respective public universities will decide whether they will conduct examinations.”
After deciding to conduct online examinations, the UGC has just formed a committee to check and select quality software to conduct the same.
While talking to several vice-chancellors of public universities, this reporter got to understand that the VCs do not want to complete the exams in a hurry.
Dhaka University VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman said, “We are taking various measures to resolve the crisis. Our academic committee and Dean’s committee will decide whether it is possible to conduct online examinations.”
Meanwhile, although private universities are taking online examination, educationists have raised question about the quality of the examinations.
Md Amirul Islam Sheikh, Former Deputy Director of UGC’s Private University Division told Bangladesh Post, “Online classes are just a way to keep the students busy in their study. But, there is no way of assessment or evaluation through online examinations. Many students are taking part in the online examinations by opening their books.”
“The quality of tertiary education will deteriorate if the evaluation or assessment method of examinations is not appropriate. Our meritorious students will be deprived due to this faulty method of examination system.” he added.
