Perhaps the worst thing that you can ask a student who says that they don't have a laptop or good enough internet to attempt an online exam is if they're serious or kidding them. And yet, that's exactly what a professor at NIT Tiruchirapalli is heard doing, in a video that has been uploaded to social media.
When a student asks during an online class about how they are supposed to write their exams when their internet connections are patchy, the professor immediately asks, "Why can't you get a wired broadband line?" The student then goes on to explain that parts of the city where he is currently residing are still under lockdown and that getting a connection isn't the simplest thing.
However, when he mentions that the amount it would cost is beyond his means, the teacher's reaction left a lot to be desired. "It costs something like Rs 2500 and I cannot afford that amount," he says to which the professor responds with a peal of sarcastic laughter, "Do you mean to tell me that Rs 2500 is big money for you? Come on," she says and continues laughing.
The student is heard attempting to explain that he hails from a family that is patently "lower than lower middle class" and that the amount mattered to them, when the female teacher continues laughing derisively, before landing the final blow, "Don't worry man, I'll pay that money for you," she says in what we assume is a pseudo-mocking tone of voice.
She follows that up by telling the student that if everyone "found an excuse" not to take the exam, the list would be endless and also urged students at a different point to "just write the exams whenever the colleges do eventually reopen."
The video was also sent to Edex Live and students claimed that it was legitimate and happened during an online class held before all this trouble began. We were unable to independently identify when the class took place and so have decided not to identify any of the people present on the call.
Students and the Director and faculty of NIT Tiruchy have been at loggerheads over the conduct of online exams - with large numbers of students running a sustained campaign to try and get them cancelled. NITT Director Dr Mini Thomas had told us that the decision to conduct the exams had been taken by the senate and hence would have to go on. She has also insisted that a sufficient amount of online classes and study material have been provided, though students hotly contest this while airing their gripes on Twitter.
The administration is yet to comment on this matter. The copy will be updated when they respond.
