HC dismayed over cancellation of arrear exams

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court expressed strong reservation over the Tamil Nadu government’s order cancelling the arrear examinations for arts, science, engineering and Master of Computer Application courses, except for the final year students.

Wondering whether education has turned out to be something like a free meal or freebee and how students could expect to be declared pass without writing exams, a division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha queried how students who fail to clear arrears could be promoted.

Justice Sathyanarayanan also pointed that the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and Anna University together permitted almost 500 engineering colleges in the State with quality taking a back seat.

“Before grant of approval, did Anna University or AICTE take a call on the academic excellence and adequate faculty that would be available to train such students well,” the judge asked.

After the counsel appearing for the University Grants Commission (UGC) sought time to file counter on the case, Justice Sathyanarayanan adjourned the case to November 20 after holding that the court could not take a view different from that of an expert body like AICTE.

In its counter, the council had submitted that the GO declaring graduate and postgraduate students in arts, science and also in technical education – except the final year students – pass was neither as per UGC guidelines nor endorsed by it.

The hearing was in response to a plea moved by noted academician and former vice chancellor of Anna University, Prof E Balagurusamy, challenging the GO exempting the students from appearing for exams and permitting them to pursue the studies the coming academic year.

An impleading petition on behalf of the students has also been moved, claiming that the State has acted as per the Disaster Management Act in view of COVID-19 pandemic.