It’s a popular joke among students that teachers will ask them to attend classes, demand assignments even when they are in a near-death situation! Especially at a crucial time like this when we are amidst a global pandemic, it is expected of teachers to be kinder and more understanding of one’s situation. Even though many institutes have begun online classes, not every student has the luxury of owning a computer or a smartphone.
I say this because a professor of an engineering college in Bengaluru told students to “beg, borrow, or steal” a laptop if they don’t have one so that they can attend online classes.
According to TOI, the incident occurred when students of MVJ College of Engineering were attending an online class with the professor. A video of the professor’s diktat has gone viral on the internet.
“Beg, borrow, or steal. Whatever you want to do you do it. Please arrange for it…a laptop or a desktop,” the professor is heard saying.
Have a look at the video here:
At a time when students are struggling to access online classes, a professor of MVJ college of engineering tells students to "beg, borrow or steal" laptops to participate in their online tests. Students have told college mgmt that majority of them don't have laptops @THBengaluru pic.twitter.com/6rPHKbyOcd
— Tanu (@TanuKul) June 5, 2020
The Principal of the college claimed that the institute was in the process of “sourcing a tool for online examination” and hence, they decided to ask students about the laptops/devices they currently use.
“This information was miscommunicated by the head of one of the departments. Laptops have not been made mandatory,” said the Principal.
The Chairman of the college said, “The HODs statement was completely misconstrued and blown out of proportion. He did not intend students should steal a laptop. It’s a common phrase that he used.”
This is how people online reacted to the incident:
This is the problem with most of the students in rural areas. A discussion is the solution between school mgmt and Education minister
— Amar G Patil (@Amar_G_Patil) June 5, 2020
This is ridiculous at a time of crisis when people are struggling for food forcing students to arrange laptop for internals is inhuman. Sad that the management doesn't care what the students must also be going through
— Sanjara Khan (@khan_sanjara) June 5, 2020
God bless his students.
— Prakash (@Hereprak) June 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/priyu2000/status/1268465003209900041
Educational institutes should consider the fact that their students come from different social backgrounds. Many are going through financial constraints at this point. We hope that the college authorities understand this and find alternative means for students to attend classes.