DUTA Letter to VC reg. Result of Survey cum Referendum conducted by DUTA on OBE

27.5.2020

Prof. Yogesh Tyagi
Vice Chancellor
University of Delhi
Delhi 110007

Subject: Result of Survey cum Referendum conducted by DUTA on OBE

In continuation with our earlier letter dt. 14.5.2020 regarding the conduct of examinations and the University administration’s unilateral decision to hold Open Book Exams for terminal year/ semester students, we wish to bring to your notice that a Survey cum Referendum conducted by the DUTA among students has cast a resounding verdict against the OBE. In less than 48 hours, more than 51,000 responded to the survey and an overwhelming majority of students (85%) voted against the Open Book Examination. The fact that the Survey cum Referendum garnered so many responses in such a short time reveals a deep seated anxiety among third year undergraduate students about the feasibility of the OBE.

Further, the Survey has only confirmed what teachers have been saying from their experience and interactions with students:

1.     That only a small percentage of students have been able to access the online teaching / e-resources made available during the lockdown period. Given that a large majority of students have only smartphone and basic internet facilities, this is not surprising. It is even more revealing that a significant number have no such facilities. Studying on smartphones not only limits comprehension but is also very stressful and is a health hazard. As a result, nearly 90% of the students are unprepared for exams.

2.     That nearly 50% of the students are not from Delhi and had gone home for the mid-semester break, which included Holi, and have been caught unprepared by the sudden lock-down. They do not have access to books, class notes or e-resources and cannot arrange for them. A vast majority of students have also said that they are unable to concentrate on their studies, either because of the environment at home or because of anxieties caused by livelihood or health issues.

We have been pointing out that the OBE is a faulty method of examination as it discriminates against those without access to books, notes and online resources, encourages malpractice and penalizes honest students. Further, it does not take into account the special needs of many students, especially the differently-abled ones.

We urge you to take cognizance of the voice of over 50,000 students of the University and to alleviate their stress and anxiety. We hope that this valuable feedback that the DUTA has collected, which ought to have been done by the University before imposing the OBE, will not be ignored. The University must explore alternatives that are not unjust and do not promote malpractices, without side-stepping statutory processes.

Please find attached the detailed results of the survey which has also been covered widely in the Press.

We urge you to meet the elected representatives of DUTA to discuss the matter.

Rajib Ray President, DUTA Rajinder Singh Secretary, DUTA

Results of the survey – Link