JEE Main-Neet 2020: 10 Reasons Why The Government Should Cancel Exams (It's not COVID!)

When the Supreme Court rejecting the plea of further postponement of the JEE Main and NEET, the NTA has come up with some directions. It has advised candidates to follow these before and during the exams. But the question is how much of this is feasible?

It's not just the aftermath of the virus that has rendered students in panic, but the beforemath too. The NTA has asked students to sign a COVID undertaking to write tests. Which means that students have to sign a self-declaration form along with a photograph. It should state that they have not tested positive for Covid-19. Also, it should mention that the applicant did not have had any symptoms like fever, dry cough or difficulty in breathing in recent days.

And apart from the virus, there are many reasons why exams are not feasible currently.

1. Transport facilities are a mess

Even when the exams happen, the students turning up to exams have to use public transports. Not everyone can afford cabs. Further, in some cities, public transport is not completely open back like before. How will students manage to come to exam centres?

2. Books are haywire as students are at home from hostels

A student preparing JEE Main told CIOL, "I came home as soon as the lockdown started. My books are in Kota. How was I supposed to study for the exams?" This is a problem with thousands of students who were away from home to study.

Plus, indecisiveness and ignorance are causing mental stress to these students. “No student is in the right environment or mental space to be taking up exams right now,” stated a teacher personal coaching JEE Main students.

3. Many students dependent on coaching couldn't finish their course

The last few weeks of coaching focus on revisions. Due to the lockdown, that couldn't happen. Many students have raised their concerns on the fact that NEET and JEE Main students need constant revisions due to the length of the course. It's been 4 months that students haven't gotten it. "It is just a formality now. I don't know how I and my friends will pass as we were on our own. Why even give exams when you are not prepared?" tells a student.

4. The time lag between studies, and unavailability of teachers

It's been 4 months. How are students supposed to retain everything from Class 12? They haven't studied judiciously for very long. How will students manage these exams without the guidance of teachers? "If students are left out and sit every day at home with no path to move forward, depressed to the core, not studying, NTA should cancel the exams and help the students," said a student.

5. Monsoon Season

Monsoon season is a hub to several other diseases. COVID-19 has only added to the effect. This year, the rains have been particularly heavy. For instance, Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune; all these cities are flooded.

How will students manage?

6. Every family going through a financial crisis

The lockdown is as difficult as it gets. If a student tests COVID positive, there is a high chance that he or she will be depleting the saving the parents have. On the other hand, it is difficult to manage Government SoPs without spending thousands. In that case, how does a student go to the centre effectively?

7. Government SOPs are useless; KCET and Bihar Exams proved it

"We don't trust your SOP after KCET failure. SOP is only on papers. Nobody will come to check after the exam if you are safe or not," said a student. Even correctly. During the exams, students crowded near the boards; parents were around till the exams got over; sometimes wearing masks, sometimes not. "Were students supposed to constantly use sanitizers or write the exam?" a student asked.

8. Even if this was optional; students will still lose a year as the academics should have already begun

The academic session begins in August generally. By the time the results for these exams come, it'll be October. Admissions will start November and Classes probably in January. Even then it's not sure whether they will be online or classroom.

The NTA or Education Ministry could simply cancel these exams and schedule it next year and run the academic calendar normally. It will save students from constantly being on social media protesting and give them a period to study.

9. Compartment students appearing for exams under dual risks

We are getting over 50k new cases in India every day. The recovery rate is good too. But a student who sits for JEE Main and NEET and also compartment exams, they will have to be socially exposed twice. And no one is willing to risk their lives like that. Moreover, even if one student tests positive, what will be the consequences? Meanwhile, the students have also said that CBSE shouldn’t risk students live for one subject or 2-3 marks.

10. Mr Pokhriyal was uncomfortable while wearing a mask for 30 minutes. How will students do it for 3 hours in such humidity?

Remember when Mr Pokhriyal removed his mask during the Independence Day rally? If he cannot sit for an hour with the humidity, sweating inside the mask, how does he expect students to do it?

Sure there are ACs and fans but not every centre will have them. He cannot personally come and check every centre.

These may sound reasons to get out of the exams, but it is true that in each case, one student risks the life of 25 lakh others. So, one must not see these as 10 reasons but 25 lakh reasons why the exams should be postponed.