Mizoram University students trek uphill to give online exam amid COVID-19 surge

Setting up temporary huts on hilltops for the students appearing for online examinations is the idea of a social organisation Young Mizo Association (YMA) and the Siaha-based Mara Students Organisation (MSO).

Online Exams 2021: Due to poor network connectivity, a group of university students of Mizoram trek every other day for around two km through a forest to reach a hilltop to write their online examination. According to the reports, “A makeshift hut made of bamboo, tarpaulin and banana leaves has been erected on the summit of the hill which acts as their 'exam centre'. They stay there for over three hours to write their papers and then return home the same way.” At least two such huts have been set up by a social organisation and a student body in Lunglei and Siaha districts of the landlocked state with hilly terrain and deep valleys, gorges and plains. Though the cities and towns have mobile towers erected by private and government internet service providers, according to Information and Communication Technology Minister Robert Romawia Royte, it is difficult to have a decent net connection in every part of the state due to its geographical characteristics.

Many villages are yet to be covered by the mobile network. Though the government has allowed students, who are writing online examinations, to travel to cities and towns to availing better internet connectivity despite lockdown, however, it is not possible for everyone. Temporary huts on hilltops for the students appearing for online examinations is the idea of a social organisation Young Mizo Association (YMA) and Siaha-based Mara Students Organisation (MSO).

"At least 23 undergraduate students from the village are currently writing their even-semester examinations. They need a 2 km uphill trek through a forest to reach the hut and return home," MSO general secretary Judson KT Zephatha. When contacted, the information and communication technology minister said, "The state government has been making efforts to resolve internet connectivity crisis in the state from the beginning and constituted a task force to deal with the issue." However, Mr Royte said that internet and mobile services are the subjects of the central government and not the state.

However, the situation is different in Mizorams southernmost Lawngtlai district. Lai Students' Association president F Vanlalruatpuia said, "Before the commencement of online examinations, we have approached authorities of internet service providers, who boosted their services in the district.”

Mizoram University commenced online exams for even-semester examination from June 1 for about 24,000 undergraduate students in various departments or courses, its Controller of Examinations Prof Lalnuntluanga told.

"This is the third time the university is holding online examinations for students during the pandemic since last year. Amid the pandemic, we have no other option despite poor internet connectivity in the state," he said.

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