Why Insist on Exams During Dasara? Respect Students’ Sentiments, Says V. Sunil Kumar
Karkala: Former minister and Karkala MLA V. Sunil Kumar questioned St Agnes College’s decision to hold semester exams during the Dasara festival, urging the management to respect students’ sentiments and reconsider the schedule.
Hundreds of students staged a protest against St Agnes College in Mangaluru over its decision to hold semester examinations from October 12 to 28, coinciding with the Dasara festivities.
In response to the protest, Sunil Kumar said the government, which places considerable importance on issues concerning minority students, should also consider students’ sentiments in this matter.
He criticised the college management’s insistence on conducting examinations during the festival without considering the students’ concerns, describing the decision as inappropriate.
“Mangaluru Dasara is one of the major cultural festivals of the coastal region. Educational institutions have a responsibility to allow students to celebrate the festival with their families and participate in Dasara programmes. Instead of considering the students’ request and postponing the examinations, insisting on adhering to the existing schedule goes against their interests,” he said.
Noting the students’ claim that examinations had been postponed at other educational institutions, Sunil Kumar urged the St Agnes College management to reconsider its decision and reschedule the examinations without jeopardising students’ academic interests.
He also appealed to the college management to respond positively to the students’ demands and provide them with an opportunity to participate in the Dasara celebrations.
Calling for immediate intervention, Sunil Kumar urged the concerned authorities to resolve the issue and asked the college management to take a constructive decision that respects students’ sentiments while safeguarding their academic interests.