The Hindu : SKU in eye of storm again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

SKU in eye of storm again

By B. Chandrashekhar

ANANTAPUR, NOV. 12. Sri Krishnadevaraya University here has once again made it to the headlines for dubious reasons. This time, it is for the alleged irregularities committed in the results of Physical Education Common Entrance Test (PECET) conducted by the university. The result is denial of seats to several genuinely eligible candidates in B.P.Ed. and U.G.D.P.Ed. courses.

Irregularities in assessment of candidates' credentials in physical and skill tests and consideration of talent certificates were learnt to have enabled several ineligible candidates secure good ranks at the cost of eligible candidates. As there is no written test, the candidates are tested in skill and physical fitness in the PECET. Talent certificates too are given weightage in the selection.

Several candidates, who have sufficient credentials for making it to the ranks needed for admission but were denied the opportunity, alleged that officials who had conducted the PECET had spoiled their chances by accepting huge sums as gratification from the ineligible candidates to provide them the ranks to get admission.

To cite the examples of irregularities in the assessment, it is learnt that 18th and 49th ranks were accorded to the candidates whose physical and skill credentials were far lower than several candidates who had secured poor ranks. The scope for irregularities is high in the PECET as there is no written test.

According to official sources, out of 800 marks in the entrance test, 500 are given for performance in five athletic events, 200 for two games and 100 for talent certificates. Scores in the three categories are recorded separately and compiled later. It is learnt that there is a very high scope for committing irregularities in the first two categories. The demand for qualified physical education teachers peaked this year as the Government had been filling teacher post vacancies regularly.

The skill and physical tests as part of the PECET were conducted region-wise at Anantapur, Warangal and Kakinada this year. The examiners were learnt to have boycott the selection process at Warangal alleging that several ineligible teachers were posted to assess the skills. The problem was solved with the police intervention there, it was learnt.

In Anantapur too, out of the 23 examiners, about 17 were posted from the high school physical education teachers against the procedure, as sufficient physical education teachers were available with the SVU zone at university, degree and intermediate college levels.

About 50 students and their parents had approached the Vice-Chancellor of SKU seeking a probe into the irregularities in the PECET and do justice to them. They had all given their credentials in writing. Several of them said they were ready to forego their certificates if their charge was proved wrong.

Meanwhile, the Physical Education Director of SKU, P. Chinnapa Reddy, who is also the convener of PECET for the last three academic years, refuted the charge of irregularities. He told reporters today that some unscrupulous elements were out to malign his name as they were not done favour in the entrance test.

There are four physical education colleges in the State -- one government, two aided and one minority -- offering the B.P.Ed. and U.G.D.P.Ed. courses. While there are 150 seats in the bachelor degree course, the under-graduate course has 300 seats. About 2,000 candidates had appeared for the entrance test for the degree course and about 3,000 for the UG course.

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