Jamia Students Protest Against Proctored Mode Of Exam, Complaint Of Unavailability Of Laptop, Internet Amid Covid-Lockdown

The agitating students bashed the Jamia Millia Islamia administration claiming that several states are plagued with poor internet connections, frequent power cuts and other technological difficulties.

Image Courtesy: Mohd Zaid Adil Khan (Jamia Millia Islamia student)

A day after the Jamia Milia Islamia released the guidelines to conduct the upcoming semester examination via online mode from December 21 onwards, the varsity students panicked and protested against the decision. The sources present at the protest sight complained of the 'discriminatory' nature of the exam for the marginalised students and those with limited digital access. Calling the online mode of examination an elitist method, the agitators and students' unions said that the decision to conduct online examination reflects universities detachment from the ground reality as as many students does not have the laptop, smartphone or high speed internet connectivity in states like Jammu-Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand. The students bashed the administration claiming that several places are plagued with poor internet connections, frequent power cuts and other technological difficulties. The protest has come a day after the Jamia Millia Islamia on Thursday issued a notice saying that is going to conduct "odd semester examination 2020 through online proctored mode with effect from 21 December 2020 onward." As per the general guidelines issued by the university for the candidates appearing for examination, students will require the latest version of FIREFOX Browser, a Windows Laptop/PC with a stable internet connection and web camera. Students would also need a smart mobile phone to click images of their hand written answers and for uploading the same. These are mandatory requirements to appear for the online proctored examination of the university. Moreover, one hour of Mock/Demo examination towards the orientation of the online proctored examination is compulsory for each student. On successful completion of the Mock/Demo examinations, the students will be allowed to appear in the actual examination.