Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 27: Dakshina Kannada District PU College Principals Association has decided against undertaking evaluation of PU answer sheets. The evaluation work was to begin on Wednesday.

This decision has been taken in view of the fact that coronavirus pandemic has not yet been brought under control. This was stated by the president of the association, Umesh Karkera, addressing a press meet organized at Sri Ramakrishna PU College at Bunts Hostel here on Tuesday May 26.

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Karkera explained that this decision has been taken as a precautionary measure against the disease and it does not tantamount to boycott of evaluation work. "Many of the senior, experienced lecturers are aged over 50. If evaluation work is done in their absence and under the current environment of apprehension, we cannot be sure that the students will get justice," he stated.

Karkera pointed out that evaluators coming from other districts and rural areas will be facing problems of accommodation and food as hotels and lodges have not been functional in the city. He also noted that buses are not moving around, and if anyone in the centre gets infected, the entire centre will have to be sealed down. In addition, all the staff at the centre and their family members will have to be subjected to quarantine, which will have adverse effect on the system as a whole, he reasoned.

Karkera stated that the lecturers are prepared to take up the evaluation work after the English examination scheduled for June 18 is held. He offered on behalf of the lecturers, to work if there is no other go, if distribution centres are opened in every taluk, and the system of undertaking evaluation is brought into practice in respective colleges and then handing over the same too the distribution centres.

Secretary of the association Vincent D'Costa, vice president Shamila Rao, Ramakrishna PU College principal Kishore Kumar Rai Sheni, and president of the association Somashekhar, were present.

Southwest teachers’ constituency MLA S L Bojegowda, has said that second PU answer sheet evaluation work has begun, and the evaluators are under mental pressure on account of the government order.