Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 14: The controversy over the semester examinations at St Agnes College has taken a political turn, with Mangalore diocese PRO Roy Castelino alleging the involvement of political interests in the issue. He said strikes and protests would not help students in their academic progress or future careers and urged them to resolve their concerns through dialogue.
Castelino said two examinations had been rescheduled to give students an opportunity to address their concerns, but maintained that protests were not the appropriate way to resolve the matter. He described the issue as a serious concern for the autonomous institution.
He said St Agnes College had the freedom to design its own syllabus and conduct examinations. The institution also provided students with opportunities for internships, practical experience and exposure to different fields, helping them identify their goals and build successful careers.
Castelino emphasised that students should have the confidence to raise their voices, protest when necessary and stand up for their rights. At the same time, he said educational institutions played an important role in developing students' awareness, leadership qualities and sense of responsibility.
Recalling his own school days, he said students today had access to opportunities that were not available to many in earlier generations. He urged them to make the most of these opportunities, work towards their ambitions and contribute positively to society.
He also appealed to the people of Tulunadu to rise above religious and caste differences and recognise their shared Tulu identity, stressing the need to live together in unity, mutual respect and harmony.
Meanwhile, the St Agnes College management clarified that the semester examinations had been scheduled in accordance with the academic calendar and that it had not received any formal request from students seeking postponement before the protest.
According to the management, the ABVP president contacted the college at around 5 pm on Saturday, requesting that the examinations be postponed. As Sunday was a public holiday, the examinations had been scheduled for Monday. The management said the request came as a surprise because the timetable had already been communicated to students and no prior complaints or formal requests for postponement had been received.
The management said postponing the examinations at short notice was difficult as arrangements had already been made, including bookings involving external agencies. Some students had also made travel plans and booked tickets to visit their hometowns.
The college maintained that the matter could have been discussed had the students approached the management earlier. It said representatives of the institution were attending a meeting with the police on Saturday when students met a Sister at the college. The management said it had communicated its availability for further discussions on Monday.
Expressing disappointment over the decision to protest on the road instead of approaching the management through appropriate channels, the college pointed out that academic activities continued on campus for students across programmes ranging from kindergarten to postgraduate courses.
Explaining the examination schedule, the management said the semester had begun in June and the examinations were planned to meet the requirement of 90 working days. The examinations were scheduled for October 12, with additional time provided to students. The timetable had been prepared in advance to avoid clashes, including those involving repeat examinations.
The management said students had been given 15 days to submit written representations and that student representatives had been consulted about possible scheduling conflicts. However, it acknowledged that there might have been a communication gap regarding the concerns raised by students.
It also clarified that no formal representation seeking leave or postponement of examinations on account of the Dasara festival had been received. Any change to the examination schedule, it said, would require proper discussion and coordination with the concerned classes.
The college further cited holidays provided under the academic calendar, including the Christmas vacation from December 24 to January 1 and a holiday declared by the deputy commissioner for Nagar Panchami.
The management said discussions were being held to address the situation and expressed hope that such incidents would not recur.