Mostly Punjabi students protest at Canada university after more than 130 ‘failed’ in one subject A student leader says international students, who pay ‘four times more fees’ than their Canadian counterparts, have been failed in the subject, forcing them to reappear for the exam in order to be eligible for admission to the next semester. :-The Indian Express

 

An indefinite sit-in by international students, mostly of Punjabi origin, outside Algoma University in Canada’s Brampton city entered day 4 on Sunday. The students say an information technology professor has flunked over 130 international students in what they allege is part of a ploy to mint money in re-examination fees.

The Montreal Youth Students Organisation (MYSO) and many social activists have extended support to the students protesting in the bone-chilling cold weather.

“On Saturday and Sunday, students along with MYSO members took out protest marches in the downtown of Brampton to gain public support. Students have also sent emails to the education department of Canada in this connection,” Mandeep, convener of MYSO, told The Indian Express. “On Monday, a day-long protest march will be taken out in Brampton and we appeal to like-minded groups to join the struggle of students.”

Balli Singh, a students committee member of the university, said, “The annual grading system needs changes and the university needs to consider our demand. We want a transparent system of paper-checking and students shouldn’t be burdened with the extra fee for appearing for an exam yet again.”

Praveen Gill, another students committee member, said, “Strict action needs to be taken against the professor who has played with the future of so many students, especially of international origin.”

Manpreet Kaur Longowal, a MYSO volunteer, said, “There are 10 subjects in the IT graduation course. It is surprising that the students have passed all the nine subjects with good marks. They have even cleared the practical of the Techniques of a System Analyst paper but failed in its theory exam, which is very surprising. A thorough inquiry needs to be done in this case.”

Meanwhile, the university has said that an investigation is underway. “We’ve contacted every student protesting grades from one specific instructor. Taking their concerns seriously, the Dean of Science is leading an urgent investigation. We acknowledge the stress these students face. We value academic integrity and the faculty of science is intervening to ensure fair assessments for each student,” it said in a statement.