A Canadian university is under fire after a college student who lived in Myanmar during a violent military coup was asked to postpone an exam – but was called off by a professor who mockedly asked if their internet “went down with COVID 19” . “
According to Canadian broadcaster CBC, York University officials have apologized after the unnamed student told the teacher that the Internet and mobile services were about to be shut down amid the mutiny in the Asian nation.
“Please may I get an extension?” the student asked, according to screenshots circulating widely online on Thursday.
But the unsympathetic educator scoffed at the leniency request.
‘Last chance, bad sign. Even the internet went down with COVID-19? replied the instructor.
The student then explained further.
“The internet never came out [COVID-19]There was a military coup where I live and nearly 200 protesters were shot [as of] now. The regime has decided to cut off all communications tomorrow, ”they wrote.
As if responding to a student complaining of a cold, the teacher doubles down and warns them to worry about missing the test.
‘Of course you should [worry]The next time you miss something, it will be over ”, the teacher replies.
“By the way, your comments (both related to this course and to your home country) made me wonder how you understand reality,” the teacher continues. “People are not shot for just protesting, but for much deeper reasons.”
A school spokesperson insisted that the exchange was inconsistent with the school’s values.
“York University is committed to upholding and promoting the values of respect, equality, diversity and inclusion on our campuses and in our communications,” York University chief spokesman Barbara Joy said in a statement.