Five injured, one in critical condition as students stage protest against online exams

• Several private university students were injured as they got into a clash with security guards
• Students assert they will continue the protest until their demands are met
• "When we were taught online, our papers should also be conducted online," they say

LAHORE: Several private university students sustained injuries after they got into a clash with security guards during demonstrations against in-person examinations. The students have been demanding online exams because classes were also held virtually. 

Students were present outside a university located at Jinnah Road in Johar Town since morning. According to police, between 300 and 350 students partook in the protest.

The students of the private university reached the educational institute's main gate where they chanted slogans against the varsity's administration.

"When we were taught online, our papers should also be conducted online," the students demanded

#StudentsKoInsafDo: In Pakistan, students take to Twitter to demand online exams

The situation took a turn for the worse when the protesters tried to enter the varsity premises. The guards and the students clashed, and as a result, five students sustained injures. Police say one of the wounded students is said to be in critical condition.

Students have maintained they would continue the protest until their demands are met; however, the university administration has not yet commented on the matter.

Meanwhile, as the students took to the streets, the campaign has also been making waves on social media as hashtags saying #StudentsRejectPhysicalExams and #StudentsWantOlineExams became top trends on Twitter.

Shafqat Mehmood addresses students' concerns

A day earlier, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood addressed students' concerns regarding online examinations and said that the decision lies with universities.

"Some university students are demanding that their exams should be online as they have been studying online," the minister wrote on Twitter.

"This is a decision for the universities to make, but I have asked HEC to consult VCs and see if it is possible given special circumstances this year."

The minister added that universities "should also assess whether they have the technical ability to conduct online exam for all students, stressing that no student should be left behind.

"No one can be left behind. It is also necessary to ensure that the online exam system is not misused to get easy grades," he wrote. "Preparing good question papers/ assessment is important."