admin The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all sectors of the global economies. The education sector has not remained immune from the stresses and strains of the new normal. A ray of hope now glimmers as International Universities announce adaptation plans to cope with the disrupted teaching-learning systems this year. The University of Surrey, UK announced the reduction of its entry level grade by one point to assuage distraught students seeking admission into its undergraduate University courses next year. The University proclaimed that this step has been taken with a view to ‘relieve the pressure and anxiety’ among students.
Policy Decision
The covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the educational front. Digitalization of the teaching-learning process, absence of physical classes and examinations has affected the student populace globally. The consequences of this unforeseen crisis has been acutely felt by the students hailing from the lower income strata of societies. The case in UK is no different. The education scene now awaits adequate policy measures to mitigate the damage inflicted by the pandemic upon this academic year. The meaning of such an announcement is that the required grade for admission into a course at the University normally is an expected A-level grade. This year the University will accept students with a lower grade point in one subject. However, some courses will not be included in the decision to reduce the admission grade point. These courses include the foundational year courses, the veterinary medicine course, the four-year integrated Masters programmes and the audition-based performance courses.
Reassurances Granted by the University
The University of Surrey made the announcement within a week of a similar proclamation made by the University of Birmingham. It was the first higher education institution in Britain to come forward with such a radical, yet necessary measure. “We are taking this action now to relieve the pressure and anxiety facing this year’s applicants, as they experience ongoing disruption and uncertainty surrounding exams and assessment of their learning,” proclaimed Lizzie Burrows, Director of Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Surrey, UK.
She also added that such a step would translate into an additional element of certainty and reassurance in such unprecedented times. The university administration hopes to minimize the unfair impact of the pandemic on the future educational trajectories of students. The repercussions of such a step must be acknowledged. The University of Surrey (along with the University of Birmingham) as one of the leading higher education institutions in UK has set a binding precedent with this decision. Most other educational institutions will be expected to follow suit.
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