Over 300 Final-Year Faculty Of Law, DU Students Write To BCI To Direct DU To Adopt Assignment-Based Evaluation For Exams

The representation states that the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on people of all age groups, across income classes and regions, and in light of this, seeks for the reconsideration of the 31^st May, 2021 notification of Faculty of Law wherein exams have been announced in at least 10 papers which are to be held within a period of 1.5 months.

"Needless to say, there is hardly any person who has not been drained of physical, mental, emotional and financial resources. The plight of those who have lost their loved ones is altogether unimaginable. There are several people of our age group who are doing their best to take care of ailing relatives, parents, friends and/or are giving their best to assist in COVID relief work".

The representation goes on to note that even as the BCI Press Release dated 1^st November 2020, which allowed universities to conduct exams for intermediate semester students either by offline or online mode, was quashed by the Karnataka High Court, Faculty of Law took no decision till the end of March 2021 when it finally issued a notice stating that final semester exams would be conducted first, followed by the intermediate 4^th semester exams.

It has been expressed that the decision was taken "knowing very well that this would amount to some students having to give up to 15 examinations within a short duration". As the second wave hit the country, all exam date sheets were suspended only for a new notice to be issued on 31^st May, 2021 which followed the previous pattern of exams.

It has additionally been stated in the representation that due to the shift to online teaching, classes were not held regularly, and no subsequent remedial or revision classes were held for students who could not manage access to online classes or resources during the lockdown.

Making a case for ABE, it is submitted that ABE is a better method of evaluation and would also ensure that the results are declared quickly so as to minimize the impact on students who wish to pursue further studies or need the final result to accept job offers. Further, it would be feasible for those who are recovering from COVID and cannot sit at stretch for hours in order to appear in an examination. In this regard, reliance has been placed upon a notification issued by National Law University, Delhi, to aver that the practice will not violate any standards of law teaching as several law schools have also opted for this mode of evaluation.

"Almost all National Law Universities and other premier institutions have adopted various alternative policies and measurers for assessments which have been sensitive to the situation and have taken into consideration the interests of the students, but the current model adopted by the Law Faculty is grossly insensitive and cruel towards the students and is adding more pressure on the students".

Demanding a more sensitive approach to the plight of the students, the representation therefore requests the BCI and the Members of the Expert Committee on LL.B Evaluations to aid and direct the University to conclude their evaluations on time via Assignment/Research Project mode.