Maharashtra: CM Thackeray asks varsities to find ways to prioritise education, hold exams

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday, May 30 spoke to Vice-Chancellors of various universities in state and directed m to find out ways to end uncertainty over holding examinations for delayed academic session. Chief Minister held a video conference with Vice-chancellors of n-agricultural universities and Minister for Higher and Technical Education Uday Samant, Minister of State Prajakt Tanpure, and ors also participated in meeting.

'... exams are t possible in July'

"University exams should be held while keeping in mind that student is infected with virus. Everything has moved forward because of coronavirus crisis. Even financial year has moved on. refore, various proposals are being prepared as to when to start next academic year. But w issue of ending uncertainty about exams will have to be dealt with as a matter of priority. It is becoming clear that exams are t possible in July," CM Thackeray said, according to Maharashtra CMO statement.

He said that COVID-19 situation in Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad is constantly changing. It should be seen if crisis can be turned into an opportunity with use of techlogy, he added. Chief Minister directed to conduct research on overall education system during meeting.

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'Health facilities need to be prioritised'

"So we have to try to figure out how to bring teaching methods here. Health facilities need to be prioritised and education also needs to be seen as a necessity. re should be equality in quality of education in Maharashtra," CM Thackeray said.

He directed officials to ensure that re should be discrimination among students as t everyone was able to study in cities. "Emphasis needs to be placed on how to facilitate learning. re should be injustice as a good student from rural area could t study in places like Mumbai and Pune due to situation. Such an arrangement should be made," Chief Minister added.

CM Thackeray also said that good educational facilities should be extended to tribals as well. Alternatives such as e-learning and digital classrooms should be explored, he added. Samant said all options for holding examinations were being explored. Tanpure said government was in touch with students and parents and taking efforts to ensure that examinations were held.

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(With ncy inputs)