A protest is brewing over the decision by the University of Delhi’s decision of Open Book Examination Scheme (OBE) for the final year students, with the National Federation terming the move as against the principle of equal opportunity.
With the declaration of the schedule for online examination, the Federation has demanded that students with vision disabilities of the university should be analyzed and graduated based on their past performance and Internal Assessment.
The major problem that would be faced by students with vision disabilities, according to the Federation, would be arranging for scribes at this hour of a pandemic where one is afraid to go near the other one.
A statement issued by the Federation says: “The conduct of the exams through this mode by Delhi University has also completely ignored the fact that blind people and some other students would need a scribe to write their exam who will not be available in present scenario both because of the fear of life and adherence to social distancing norms.”
Mr. S.K. Rungta, General Secretary of the Federation, has argued that sightless are more exposed to the virus, as they depend on “touch” more than anyone else. Delhi University has issued guidelines separately for students with disabilities that allow them five hours to write the Open Book Examination. However, the Federation has moved to Delhi High Court against University’s decision.
“In such an uncertain situation, the conduct of examination through an open book would risk students’ health in general. Also, blind and other students with disabilities are more vulnerable. The Federation even conducted a survey where about 150 students with vision disabilities expressed their inability to appear for the online examination,” said Rungta.
