Demands of students legitimate; Govt must conduct online examinations across Jammu and Kashmir -AIP

Srinagar, 6th September (PTK) Taking strong note of students demands, incarcerated Er Abdul Rashid lead Awami Itehad Party today in a statement urged current Government to ensure conduct of online examinations across institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. Party top brass impressed upon the authorities to understand gravity of situation and not to allow any private or Government institution to play with lives of students and their families. At a time where there is a day wise ginormous rise in number of cases throughout India and in Kashmir, authorities should ensure that no such lapse takes place which can have a catastrophic impact and potentially overwhelm the existing infrastructure. Scores of universities in different states both Government as well as private including in Jammu and Kashmir have gone for online examinations so one fails to understand why some selective institutions are forcing their students to attend offline examinations. Pointing out in particular the case of Islamia College of Science and Commerce, party leadership termed the alleged coercion of students by college administration to appear for tests in person and making them sign declarations as rather unfortunate. We urge the district administrations across Jammu and Kashmir to ensure no such cases of arm twisting of student community takes place and authorities must ensure the safety of lives first before conducting any such examinations, said Party Spokesperson Sheeban Ashai in a statement. One needs to understand that it is not only students who face the risk of contracting Covid during offline exams, the whole exercise also put lives of teaching staff and families of students in jeopardy as well. Party also implored that if in any special cases examinations are to be necessarily undertaken in offline mode, administration must ensure that all covid precautions including sanitization of premises as well as physical distancing are completely taken care of before any such exercise is put into action. Ashai assured the student community that their legitimate demands would be expeditiously taken to concerned authorities and party would use its good offices in every possible way in ensuring that examinations are conducted in a safe and secure environment.