What is the purpose of taking home exams if classes not held, HC asks JNU

Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) what was purpose of having online open book or take home exams if classes have t been held.

"Classes were t held. So what was purpose of having exams if students were t instructed? Purpose of exams is to evaluate what students have learned. "But if, practically, classes were held, n what are y being evaluated on? Are y being evaluated on what is written in books," Justice Rajiv Shakdher asked varsity.

JNU's decision to hold online open book or take home exams for monsoon semester has been challenged by students, who h t taken such tests, and several JNU professors. court asked Board of Studies of various schools and special centres in JNU to convene and give recommendations on how remaining classes of monsoon semester can be held and how exams can be conducted.

It asked Board to forward its recommendations to JNU's acemic council and to place a copy before court prior to next date of hearing on February 4. professors and students, represented by senior vocate Ritin Rao, have challenged varsity's decision to conduct end-semester examinations for 2019 monsoon semester through an alternative mode of uploing question papers on university's website or sending m to students by e-mail, and receiving answer sheets, through e-mails and whatsapp messs.

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petitions, filed through vocates Samiksha Godiyal and Abhik Chimni, have also opposed varsity's circular directing professors to commence course work for 2020 winter semester, saying directions were issued on instructions of Vice Chancellor (VC) in exercise of his extraordinary powers under JNU Act and Statutes of University.

petitioners have contended in ir pleas that VC of JNU does t have power to allow such form of examinations when entire curriculum h t been covered in various schools and special centres under university. court appeared to be in agreement with submission of petitioners as it said, " power he (VC) has exercised cant be for this purpose. power he has is for or purposes. Let Board convene and take a decision."

ditional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand, assisted by vocates Kushal Kumar and Akash Deep Gupta, told court that varsity was willing to hold extra classes. However, to go through entire process of holding exams from start would le to waste of time as winter session has alrey commenced, ASG, who appeared for JNU, told court.

She also said that online open book or take home exams also do test students and y are t simple. petitions have contended that circulars have been issued without consultation with faculty members. " impugned circulars direct end-semester examinations to be conducted even though course-work and syllabus for each course of 2019 monsoon semester has remained incomplete on account of student agitations at university.

" impugned circulars prescribe drastic changes in pattern of end-semester examinations. y also permit registration of students for next semester without completion of acemic requirements of 2019 monsoon semester. se changes are illegal in absence of approval of Boards of Schools in duly convened meetings," petitions have contended. petitioners have sought quashing of circulars, extension of 2019 monsoon semester and direction to JNU to university to conduct course-work, examinations and registration for each semester in strict compliance with mandatory procedures. 

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