Problems related to online examinations cannot be ignored.
Saurabh Jain
Problems related to online examinations cannot be ignored. The problems that are being experienced with computer based examinations are technical constraints, limited number of examination centres, lack of trained examiners, limited number of computer equipment, etc., which hinder the successful conduct of online examinations.
Online education has started in the Corona period. But online examinations (computer based examination) are being conducted even before this. These are technology-provided facilities, which are seen as the ease of use of the education system. In this round, the examinations related to admission, eligibility and recruitment are being done online for a long time. Online examinations refer to the conduct of examinations through computer at the examination center in which paper and pen are replaced by computer screen and mouse. Online exams are considered best for the selection of multiple choice questions. At present, entrance examinations from medical, engineering to reputed universities are also being conducted through this medium. Recruitment examinations are also being conducted in the states on the same lines.
While technology has provided us facilities in conducting online examinations, it has also opened the box of many problems. Recently, the candidates had to face many practical difficulties in conducting the National Eligibility Test (NET), which is conducted twice every year for eligibility for teaching and research fellowship in higher educational institutions. In such a situation, once again questions have arisen regarding online examinations. Problems related to online examinations cannot be ignored.
The problems that are being experienced with computer based examinations are technical constraints, limited number of examination centres, lack of trained examiners, limited number of computer equipment which hinder the successful conduct of online examinations. The number of registered candidates in the National Eligibility Test held from November 20 to December 5 was about 13 lakhs. From this number, the comprehensive conduction of this examination can be estimated. Eight and a half lakh candidates had registered in the UGC NET exam held last year (2020).
NTA (National Testing Agency) is responsible for conducting the National Eligibility Test. This agency conducts many major examinations in the country, including major exams like NEET and JEE. In such a situation, if the candidates have to face difficulties regarding online examinations, then the functioning of the organization organizing such huge events is bound to have an impact on the morale of the candidates.
Talking about the National Eligibility Test, this exam is conducted twice every year i.e. in June and December. But due to Corona, the examinations were conducted in November-December, adjusting the examinations of December, 2020 and June, 2021. Earlier, the UGC NET exam of December, 2020 session was to be held from May 2 to May 17, 2021, but due to the conduct of December, 2020 session examination and the delay in the application process of June, 2021, it is necessary to conduct the examination of both the sessions simultaneously. The decision was made.
The dates for the examinations of both the sessions were fixed from October 6 to October 11. But at the last moment it was changed from 6 to 8 October and 17 to 19 October. Then making further changes in it, it was extended from 17 to 25 October 2021. But the surprising thing is that even on 17th to 25th October the examination was not conducted. It was postponed once again. NTA had earlier changed the dates of the examination four times, which has now taken the form of a sequence. Sometimes the examinations were postponed by citing Corona, sometimes giving reasons for the clash of dates of many other examinations.
When there can be big events ranging from small and big elections in the country, then moving the examinations every time raises questions on the systemic flaws of the conducting examination agency. Anyway, now that almost two years have passed for Corona, then there should not have been any problem in preparing for the examinations. But it didn’t happen. The postponement of examinations every time had a direct effect on the morale of those preparing for it. Such an attitude of a reputed institution is truly astonishing. Looking at the functioning of NTA, it does not seem that we are really serious about conducting examinations. When the University Grants Commission has relaxed the requirement of PhD for Assistant Professor in universities till July 2023, then the eligibility of NET becomes more important for appointment in the university.
The benefit of this exemption will be available only when the examinations will be conducted on time. Now that the examinations of the last two sessions have been conducted in November-December 2021, there is doubt on the timing of the December 2021 examinations. Until the results of the recently held examination are released, applications for the new examination cannot be started. In such a situation, once again in the year 2022, a situation like conducting the examination of December 2021 and June 2022 session seems to be happening simultaneously.
In the NET examination conducted at four hundred and seventy nine examination centers in two hundred and thirteen cities across the country, more chaos was found in the examination centers with private educational institutions. It is most important for the candidates to have calmness in the examination hall for concentration. When the time on the computer is running at its own pace and the examiners interfere with mutual discussion, then the candidates look helpless in front of them. On the one hand, technical constraints at the examination centers, on the other hand, errors in the question paper indicate negligence.
Such mistake cannot be expected from a responsible examination agency like NTA. The candidates had to face the stress of the examination being postponed every time before, when the examinations were held, then they had to face the problems of not issuing the admit card on time and when they came to take the examination, they had to face technical hurdles and the condition of the examination centers. . Now in such a situation, the computer-based examination will be counted in the category of convenience for the candidates or will be considered indecisive? It is difficult to answer this.
NTA needs to learn a lesson from such conduct of examinations. The most important thing is that the examination center should be made only in government institutions where there is proper arrangement of computer equipment. There is a need to focus on the technical training of the examiners before the examination. When we discuss campaigns like new education policy, digital India and self-reliant India, then the most important of all these should also be talked about timely conduct of examinations and their results. No one has yet forgotten the question paper leak of UP TET exam in Uttar Pradesh.
The incident of getting a Bluetooth device inside the slippers in the REET exam held in Rajasthan is also not very old. It is the responsibility of the examination agencies to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future. Considering the shortcomings of the online examination system, efforts should be made to include them in the merits of technology, then only the dream of Digital India will come true.
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