GTU's choice allocation of exam centres turns into 'no-choice' for students

Nimesh, a degree engineering student with an Ahmedabadbased college affiliated to the Gujarat Technological University (GTU), chose Amreli as his preferred choice of examination centre for exams beginning July 2. To his horror, GTU not only refused to allot him Amreli, he was allocated Rajula centre which is 150 km away from Dhasa village, in Botad, where he lives.

Nimesh is now more worried about commuting 300 km daily than he is about coronavirus or difficulty level of papers.

Talking about his predicament, Nimesh said, “When GTU announced a choice-based selection of exam centre near student’s home, my worries subsided to a great extent. However, after receiving the hall ticket on Monday, I learnt that I will have to travel 300 km daily. I chose Amreli as we have relatives there and I could stay with them. We do not have anyone in Rajula and commuting four hours daily is going to put tremendous pressure on my routine and affect my score as well.”

Nimesh is not the only one. More than 5,000 students from degree engineering, pharmacy and diploma courses in rural and semi-rural areas are facing the issue of being allotted exam centres which are far from their home.

Even as GTU students are trying hard to convince authorities to postpone offline exams starting from July2, the varsity is not only adamant about conducting them but its random allocation of exam centres, away from students’ homes, has left many in lurch. Students, who left hostels after the announcement of lockdown, are struggling to collect their study material left behind. Students have also raised fear about so many of them appearing for the exams amid Covid-19 pandemic.

Dhrumit, who lives in Umargam in South Gujarat, said, “My college is in Surat and I live in Umargam. I selected Vapi centre as it is 30 km from my home. But I have been given Valsad centre, which is 80 km away. I will have to reach there by changing two buses. Monsoons have already set in this part of Gujarat which will increase the hardships.”

When asked how he will manage it, Dhrumit said, “I have decided not to appear for the exam. I will opt for the special exams that will be conducted by the varsity. It seems a better option than risking my academic career at this point of time.”

GTU has given three options to students: Apart from offline exams, it will also conduct online exams from July 21 and special exams in September.

With most finding it difficult to appear for online exams in descriptive format, around 54,000 students have opted for offline exams. Jay, a resident of Jam Kalyanpur village, chose Dwarka examination centre as it was the nearest centre with no coronavirus cases registered there. However, the temple town has lately seen a rise in cases.

“GSRTC buses no longer ply on the route, making my commute to the exam centre difficult. I hope GTU authorities listen to our concerns and postpone the exam. As such UGC hasn’t asked varsities to conduct exams.”

Another set of students said they have chosen their colleges as the exam centre of choice. Earlier, they travelled in college buses which are no longer in service as academic institutions are closed. Such students fear they will have to commute by themselves, risking their health and life.

GTU Registrar K N Kher said they have been receiving complaints from students in connection with allocation of examination centres.

“We have 300 centres, all at the district level. None of them are at taluka level. We have asked all exam centres to keep hostel facilities ready to accommodate students who have to travel long distances or those who may find it difficult to commute daily. We are also making emergency arrangements to accommodate students in nearby centres. Students facing issues should contact the GTU exam office,” he said.