Engineering students in Karnataka urge VTU to put off exam

Thousands of first-semester engineering students enrolled in faculties affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) have urged college officers to put off the examination scheduled to start in three days. Students have began a marketing campaign on Twitter with the hashtag #postponevtuexams.

Citing the surge in COVID-19 instances, many have additionally submitted requisitions to the principals of their faculties. Parents, too, have joined the refrain and requested varsity to put off the examination, scheduled to be held from April 19 to May 3. The different causes students cited embrace the continued bus strike and the students’ wrestle with greedy key ideas that have been taught on-line. “The university has not taken any measures to trim the syllabus despite the pandemic, our inability to attend classes on campus, and poor access to infrastructure for online classes,” mentioned one pupil.

‘No change’

However, a senior official of the college mentioned the exam can be held as scheduled. Colleges have been directed to comply with the SOP strictly and sanitise lecture rooms after each session. “Arrangements for thermal scanning and washing of hands will be made. All safety protocols will be followed during the exam,” mentioned the official.

Engineering faculties which are doubling as exam centres have been requested to organise separate lecture rooms for students who’ve examined optimistic for COVID-19. On the issue posed by the bus strike, VTU officers mentioned they’ve requested faculties to present buses for students, if required.