Dr. A. Prabaharan's

In this hour of unimaginable crisis, Governments in the centre and states are put in a confused mode. Apart from Coronavirus, floods and landslides are threatening the very foundation of our nation. The pressure politics which is peculiar to India is taking a heavy toll on the national well-being. As usual there are many negative interests working to derail the relief measures. The latest one is protest against conducting NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) for admission into medical colleges and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admissions into NITs and IIITs

The battle is deadly. It is between students and future. No future without good students. No student can sacrifice their future. It is between life and livelihood. Life cannot be sustained without livelihood and livelihood cannot be possible without life. This is worse than a thousand wars. This is disastrous than ten thousand enemy armies surrounding us. Those who have nation and people in their priority list must not engage in politics in this time of pandemics. All of us should stand shoulder to shoulder with the governments. Very importantly, governments should also engage everyone without playing political games. Only neutral minds without parochialism can save the country. All gained in the past will vanish in quick successions if we keep engaging in petty politics. 

Study, exams and results are important. As there is no hope for ending Coronavirus shortly, we must find ways to engage students constructively. Virtual classes and exams are the solutions. We can make online tests as the best possible method in this worst situation to test students’ knowledge. With the several websites, government educational television channels and mobile applications helping students 24×7, there is no shortage for teaching aids.

There is no dispute over the point that the present Covid-19 situation is not conducive for normal examinations and allowing youth to roam freely will be put the health of the entire nation in a big risk. As there is no sight of disappearance of Covid-19 and vaccines, it is better to conduct online classes and tests. Whatever support needs – smartphones, laptops, data packs etc must be provided by the government. The Punjab government needs a big pat for giving smartphone to students. Tamil Nadu is very advanced in providing free laptop to students for the past 10 years. Recently it has also started a separate education television channel – Kalvi Thoolaikatchi.

As we have to live with viruses and other challenges, smart way of dealing is a must. Certain national priorities like education, health, security must be clearly kept out of petty politicking. Online classes and tests must continue till we get out of the pandemic. Instead of making students to come to exams centres, governments can conduct online tests. The foolproof of online tests must be ensured. It is better to conduct online exams than no exams. Government needs citizens and citizens need government. Both must work responsibly to overcome this crisis.