FPJ-Ed: Higher & Technical Education Dept to soon send proposal for reopening of colleges to CM Uddhav Thackeray, says Uday Samant

Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant has said that his department would soon send a proposal for the reopening of colleges to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Samant’s statement on Thursday was in response to the rising demand from various organisations and academicians.

“I will discuss the reopening of colleges in the state with CM Uddhav Thackeray and a proposal will be forwarded to him for final approval,” said Samant.

His latest announcement came days after he had said that non-agricultural and technical universities colleges in the state would be shut till February 15. Samant, who had held meetings with divisional commissioners, district collectors and vice chancellors, had then said that the decision had been taken for the safety of the students and it would also be applicable to deemed, private and self-financed universities in the state.

In view of the safety of the students, colleges will conduct examinations online. Universities have also agreed to hold online exams.

Universities had been instructed to start helplines for students. However, students unable to take exams online because of poor internet connectivity or power supply issues, would be given another chance to clear their exams, so that they would not lose an academic year, Samant had said. Further, those students unable appear for online exams because they were infected or their family members had been affected by the virus would be given an opportunity to clear their exams.

The minister had also declared that the government had decided on the closure of all hostels affiliated to various colleges by notifying the students in advance. These hostels were to be closed for a specified time period and the universities were to implement it during their respective jurisdictions. However, hostels for students from abroad were to remain operational.