Renowned physicist, author, and IIT Kanpur professor H C Verma has flagged what he described as an ‘unethical’ exam culture among students, as debates and protests intensify following the death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode on September 18.
IIT Bombay suicide case: H C Verma said it was “very painful” to come across the recent IIT Bombay student suicide case, adding that every life is precious and an untimely death is a shock.
Highlighting gaps in the education system and examination practices, Verma also pointed to the way practical examination marks are awarded in some schools. After four consecutive days of student protests, the IIT Bombay Board of Governors asked Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been at the centre of the controversy surrounding the student’s death, to go on leave. The board has also constituted a 10-member high-level panel to examine the circumstances leading to Wakode’s death.
Verma said it was “very painful” to come across the recent IIT Bombay student suicide case, adding that every life is precious and an untimely death is a shock. Commenting on unethical practices in the education system, he said students have, for years, been encouraged by parents and coaching teachers to skip regular school attendance while still being allowed to appear for board examinations. He said that in many reputed schools, students can receive high practical marks despite not attending laboratory classes. 30 marks in practical examinations have almost become “a gift”, with students being awarded at least 28 out of 30 marks despite not going to the laboratory, according to him.
