Karnataka planning to start UG, PG, engineering courses from August 1

BENGALURU: Karnataka is planning to reopen classes for undergraduate courses, including engineering streams, on August 1 after conducting examinations as per the schedule prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
However, the government will announce its decision in the first week of June after the Centre reviews the lockdown by May 31. Deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan on Tuesday said, “For now, we will stick to the UGC schedule.”
According to the UGC schedule, the ongoing online classes will end on May 31.Final-year exams will be held from July 1 to 15, and those of the first and second years from July 16 to 31. First-year degree and engineering classes should begin on September 1 and others by August 1.
Sources said students may not get a summer break.
The higher education department has been conducting online classes for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and the lecturers have completed 79% of the syllabus. Till date, 30,000 classes have been conducted, benefiting 85% of students through WhatsApp and YouTube channel of the department.
A section of the engineering students have demanded that exams be cancelled as classes were not conducted because of the pandemic. Maharashtra has sought UGC’s permission to cancel final-year degree exams because of the current environment.
Govt okay with continuing online teaching method
Deputy CM Ashwath Narayan said they will hold a meeting with vice-chancellors of universities in the first week of June before deciding on the next step. “The problem is not unique to our university since it’s faced by all universities across India. There are many factors involved in it. As the issue is sensitive, we need to tread carefully,” said Dr Karisiddappa, vice-chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University.
The government is in favour of continuing with online method of teaching for higher education with chief minister BS Yediyurappa appreciating the initiative. He directed department officials to look at the possibility of introducing online education at the pre-university level too.