Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 11: National Conference president and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah today impressed upon J&K administration to make adequate arrangements for fast internet to help over 200 students to fill forms and also appear in various on-line exams of the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University.
Criticizing JMI for its decision to conduct on-line exams, the NC president called the measure callous and isolated from the ground reality in Kashmir. “The announcement of the university to go for an on-line examination is incognizant of the ground realities in J&K, where 2G internet speed and frequent clampdowns on the internet service are common,” he said.
The NC MP said the guidelines that students would be responsible for ensuring electricity and internet for the complete duration of the test and the students would be responsible for any lapses on that front, are elitist in nature defeating the inclusiveness that JMI stood for since its inception. The guidelines are also indifferent to issues faced by the students across J&K in general, he added.
“How on earth could the poor students ensure steady power supply during the on-line exams, not all households’ have alternative arrangements of electricity? The entire exercise requires downloading of several apps and uploading of written materials in PDF forms. How can students do it on their phones boasting feeble 2G connectivity, leave aside internet, even the smart phones aren’t available to all,” Farooq said.
He said the decision has apparently been taken in isolation, not taking into cognizance the prevailing internet situation and economic condition of students hailing from J&K. “I therefore request the university authorities to go for assignment mode to evaluate students or come up with 4G enabled internet centers across J&K to facilitate the students. Meantime, the university should schedule the exams and centers accordingly,” he said.
The NC president also asked the concerned Government agencies to make arrangements for fast internet services at various places across J&K to help over 200 students to fill on-line forms, saying such a measure will come as a respite to thousands of aspirants who want to study in the prestigious university.
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