Dhaka University (DU) has decided to press ahead with online classes for the next semesters without holding the final exams of the current semesters delayed by the pandemic, reports bdnews24.com.
The authorities, however, have no clear plan ahead. Students say it is next to impossible to sit the exams of two semesters together. They are clueless about how the grades will be decided and how the university will go about class tests, assignments, term papers and midterm exams.
The entire semester system runs the risk of falling into chaos.
Vice Chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman says the authorities are emphasising ways to keep the students engaged in their studies to make up for the loss.
"We are holding classes virtually, but it is not possible to hold the exams online. And we do not have any reliable software for those exams. We will hold the tests when the university reopens," he told the news agency.
Of the 83 departments and 12 institutes at the university, 49 follow the semester system, according to the Office of the Controller of Examinations.
A student gets a bachelor's degree after completing eight semesters, each spanning six months, and a master's degree with two semesters in another year.
Each semester comprises 15 weeks of classes, a week's leave for preparation for exams and three weeks of exams.
Group discussions, presentations, class tests, assignments, term papers and midterm exams are also held during the 15 weeks of classes.
These engagements and attendance account for 50 per cent of marks. The remaining 50 per cent comes from the results of the final exams.
DU has remained shut since mid-March as COVID-19 cases are surging in Bangladesh.
The university authorities had initially shown no interest in holding online classes, considering difficulties like a lack of device and internet connections for all students.
Online classes began in the first week of July when they changed their minds as the outbreak continued.
The current semester was supposed to end in July and got delayed due to the pandemic. Although some departments were able to complete their classes in the last three months, the exams could not be held as the university remained shut.
The registrar's office sent a letter to all departments and institutes on Sept 24, asking them to start the online classes of the next semester without holding the exams of the current semester.
A number of departments and institutes have already started the next semester's classes online, but others have not been able to do so due to different problems.
The authorities were unable to ensure the participation of all students in online classes as many students still face problems, including the lack of proper devices, cost of internet use and network problems in remote areas.
"The classes of the first semester were completed online, but the exams were not held. We could only sit for several class tests before the coronavirus. Now there are words about starting second-semester classes," said Aminul Islam, a master's student of political science.
