Reshma Ravishanker

As the third wave of the pandemic peaks across the country, students from across streams in the country have joined the chorus on social media asking state governments to postpone examinations till the situation improves.

Medical, paramedical, and nursing students in particular, from all over the country have urged state governments to postpone upcoming exams in the wake of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. In large numbers, students in Telangana, Karnataka, Chattisgarh in particular have requested that the examinations be postponed as students have been facing difficult times due to the pandemic.

While some claimed that being frontline warriors, many of the batchmates have been infected as state governments have deployed them in government healthcare facilities, the others have cited mental exhaustion due to the rising cases.

Dr Anushka Upadhyay, a resident doctor from the Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (previously known as Kanpur University) has tweeted to chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath to be considerate and postpone exams. “Postpone MBBS exams of CSJMU. We are humans.. Every life matters. Kindly, humbly please postpone exams… We’re depressed and mentally exhausted (sic),” she said.

Meanwhile, Neha Reddy, a student from Telangana has requested that examinations for dental courses be postponed. “Cases are increasing day by day. Please take everything into consideration and do cancel our BDS exams until the situation gets better,” she sought.

Some students also complained that hostels and colleges did not adhere to Covid-19 appropriate protocols, putting students’ lives at risk. “Many students of the current and previous year’s batch for MBBS 1st and 2nd yr are testing positive for COVID +ve in Hostels. Despite this, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Health Sciences and the Ayush University of Chhattisgarh are not postponing Exams. We are humans too,” said Aabhas, another student.

In Karnataka as well, students have sought that exam for GNM nursing and BSc nursing be postponed until the positivity rate reduces. “The state government has said that offline classes should be conducted for all medical, nursing, and paramedical courses. Some of us in the final year are serving in hospitals and assisting in outpatient departments and at a high risk of being positive. We request the medical education department to be considerate and atleast postpone exams for the time being,” tweeted Shwetha, another student from Karnataka.

Also Read: Karnataka: Medical students seek closure of in-person classes