Kerala Governor directs universities to postpone exams amid COVID-19 surge

According to the reports, under the Universities Act, the Governor is the Chancellor of all the universities in Kerala and in that capacity he has a direct responsibility as regards the proper management and administration of the varsities.

Various universities in Kerala are all set to postpone exams. The decision came after Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on April 18, 2021, requested Vice-Chancellors of various universities to postpone all offline examinations considering the terrifying surge in the COVID-19 cases. The decision is also taken amid calls by the Opposition Congress to cancel all the examinations. According to Raj Bhavan sources, Khan suggested university managements come out with fresh dates after analyzing the virus situation in the state. According to the reports, under the Universities Act, the Governor is the Chancellor of all the universities in Kerala and in that capacity he has a direct responsibility as regards the proper management and administration of the varsities.

Earlier, Senior Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Ramesh Chennithala came out against the conduction of the examinations when the country was witnessing the second COVID-19 wave. "With Kerala reporting 13,000 + new virus cases, it is irresponsible that the 6th Semester BA/BSc exams of Kerala University are still scheduled from April 19. Could the University & Govt please postpone or cancel these exams? ", Mr Tharoor tweeted. The Thiruvananthapuram MP later said the Governor has assured that the matter would be considered.

The government was also urged by the leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala to reconsider whether to hold the public examinations at a time when the COVID-19 test positivity rate was unprecedentedly high.

Mr Chennithala said all examinations, including the CBSE and ICSE board exams, have been postponed at the national level. "However, in the state, SSLC and Plus-two examinations are being conducted. Various universities are going ahead with their exam schedule," he said. Parents and students were anxious as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading fast, Mr Chennithala said and urged the government to seriously consider the matter.

Meanwhile, the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University here informed students that all its scheduled exams have been postponed.

An official statement released by the University reads, “In view of the directions from the Chancellor and considering the representations from student organisations, the Vice-Chancellor has directed to postpone all scheduled examinations of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University."

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