Different voices on holding exams

Leaders, officials from different quarters weigh in on the holding of exams amid Covid

SHASHI THAROOR, FORMER HRD MINISTER OF STATE

■ The only solution would be an at-home examination. But it would have to be crafted to test different things than the standard examination, in order to take into account the availability of study/reference materials at the student’s home. SO it would need to involve tests of logic, of synthesis, of analysis rather than of memory, recall or command of factual matters.

■ This may be a challenge for the examiners who are used to what they have always done, and for the students who have prepared for the exam on the traditional basis. But the risks and problems involved in proceeding with business as usual are considerable

MM PALLAM RAJU, FORMER HRD MINISTER

■ The public at large today, having endured the pandemic situation for over 5 months are eager to get on with their lives, while taking whatever precautions they can within their means. Students while being wary of the situation, are also eager to work towards their aspirations. Under such circumstances the Government and the authorities must go that extra mile and accord the highest priority in ensuring a safe and sanitised environment for the conduct of the NEET test, even if it is delayed by a few weeks.

ANIL SWARUP, FORMER EDUCATION SECY

■ There is a crisis at hand. This one too is a fallout of the dreaded Covid-19. This crisis relates to the conduct of entrance tests for Engineering Colleges (JEE) and Medical Colleges (NEET). The government has announced that they are going ahead with the “physical’ examination as in the past, resulting in protests from some states and people in general.

■ What are the options available with the government? Not holding the test is obviously not an option. Can it consider postponing the entrance exams further? This will derails the entire session. So, the exams have to be held.

■ Can the government hold virtual exams as is being done in case of standardized test (SAT) widely used for college admissions in the United States. This could have been a viable option. However, it requires a huge set of data bank of questions that may not be readily available now. Had the preparation commenced a few months ago perhaps some data bank would have been prepared. However, question bank alone would not solve the problem. There would be a need for such “credible” centres where such tests could be held as in case of SAT. Considering the sensitivity and importance of the entrance exams that are extremely high profile, it would be a difficult task to identify such centres in a short time.

■ In my view, not much can be done now and we may have to live with the “physical” exams as proposed by the government for want of a viable alternative. However, COVID has thrown up an interesting challenge that can be used as an opportunity to have a re-look at the entire approach to JEE and NEET. From next year onwards, why can’t we think in terms of a SAT like entrance exam that will also perhaps reduce the role of coaching institutes?