In view of COVID-19, UGC has new guidelines for much anticipated B. Ed admission for session 2020-21 which would commence from August. Exams will be taking place between July and August with alternative and simplified methods. To complete the D. Ed, B. Ed exams process 2020, it has been suggested to shorter the exam duration from 3 hours to 2 hours which offers the flexibility of both online and offline modes. These UGC guidelines are suggestive in nature and universities have their right to adjust as per the prevailing situation.
UGC has also suggested that if circumstances don’t seem to be normal in view of COVID-19, then universities can grade students based giving fifty percent marks on the basis of the pattern of internal evaluation adopted by the universities and the rest fifty percent score can be awarded on the basis of performance in previous semester exam (if available) in order to maintain social distancing safety measures. In case, the previous exam marks not available then evaluation can be done on the basis of internal assessment. Students would be allowed to improve their grades in special exams during the next session of the course. These guidelines may be adopted by the university after ensuring comprehensive assessment, residential status of students, the status of COVID-19 pandemic spread in the region, and other relevant factors.
In brief, the concerned universities may conduct B. Ed exam dates in July with alternative modes with a shorter span of two hours. Evaluation can even be done compositely on the basis of internal assessment and previous semester performance. All these guidelines are advisory in nature in the view of COVID-19 and the final call will be of the concerned university on all related factors. One important aspect of guidelines was the call for virtual classes where 25 percent of the syllabus has to be covered through online teaching and faculty must be adequately trained with ICT.