Accordingly even as tamilnadu continues to see a steep rise in COVID-19 numbers, college-going students and their parents are facing issues from educational institutions. Many private colleges in the state have demanded that parents pay the fees for the upcoming academic year and have also announced the schedule for the pending semester exams. While private schools have started online classes for students, colleges are yet to begin classes as the semester exams are pending. Recently, many engineering and medicine colleges announced that the model semester exams and semester exams will be held in July. For instance, students pursuing MBBS in Chettinad Academy of Research and education (CARE) have been told that their examinations for first, second and final year students will begin on July 20.

However students are concerned about the technicalities involved in taking these exams online. Adding to the stress, colleges also have started demanding fees for the academic year 2020-21. From scrambling to source funds to pay the college fees to ensuring a good internet connection to access classes as well as to scan and submit answer papers online, students are raising questions on the legal and ethical aspects behind this move by colleges. anna university recently announced that the final semester exams for its students will be held in July. Justifying the decision, MK Surappa, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, told TNM that the university’s focus is now on helping final-year students complete their exams and be ready for their employment. “The dates for the final semester exams will be announced shortly. Discussions are on to conduct the exams for students in the first, second and third years,” he added.

Another issue that several students and parents have flagged is that private colleges are demanding fees during the pandemic. During the early period of lockdown, the government of tamil Nadu had ordered private schools and colleges to not compel parents to pay fees for the next academic year. This has been reiterated by the government often. However, Chennai’s Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher education and Research sent a letter to parents, giving them time till July 10 to pay the fees for the academic year 2020-21. The letter, dated april 24, 2020 and signed by the Dean of students, stated that “further extension of time will not be granted under any circumstances.” It is not known whether there was any change in the college’s stance. TNM’s attempts to reach the college authorities and get a response did not succeed.