Kerala - Kochi

Follow a strict schedule to avoid delays in examinations

Examinations were having an aura and sanctity surrounding them in the days of yore. It should be realised that it is the product of efforts by different agencies like academicians, administrators and most importantly students. Setting of question paper, arrangements for the conduct of the examinations and readiness of the scholars to take up the challenge thrown out in the pages of the question papers were all taken very seriously. But the present day trend has put innumerable spokes into an otherwise well laid down procedure. Lack of planning and lackadaisical attitude of those in charge of the conduct of examinations in universities all have made the smooth conduct of examinations quite a difficult affair. This would naturally lead to postponement of examinations. Any postponement would be having a cascading effect on the publishing of results, admissions to other courses and so on and ultimately ends up as a loss to the student community.

Students seeking admissions in universities and institutions outside the State would be the worst affected. It is, therefore, necessary that there should be a total understanding among the agencies in charge of the examinations and there should be a concerted effort to avoid delays.

M. Ramankutty

Thripunithura

The conduct of examinations and the declaration of results should be done in a time-bound manner so that the academic interests of students are not affected. Central universities and those of other States have their own academic calendar and by far they stick to the schedules. However in Kerala, which has the dubious distinction of delays, things don’t happen as per schedule due to a variety of reasons, hartals and campus politics being the major culprits.

The most important decision needed to be taken by the students is that the campus politics on party lines should be discouraged and banned. Students need to focus on studies and realise that for every one or two who manage to get into the system as leaders from college politics, thousands of others lose their future in academics. The universities in turn should have an academic calendar planned well in advance and stick to it, keeping the interests of students in mind; needless to say contingencies must be kept in view.

R. Unni Krishnan

Edapally

Delays in the conduct of examination and publishing of results affect the future of students. Students and parents are worried about it.

In Kerala, the degree courses now stretches to 3 and a half years and post graduate courses to 2 and a half years. This will affect the job prospects of students. Co-operation of employees is most important in the conduct of examinations and publishing of results. Government should ensure adequate staff for the conduct of examinations. Paper valuation can be completed in time if the government makes use of the services of retired hands. Frequent transfer of staff in the examination department should be avoided.

Anu Maria Thomas

Kattappana

The delay in the conduct of examinations has affected the student community badly.

The universities in the State are showing an extraneous approach to the students, that results are not available at the right time and further studies have been stalled. The solution is simple—plan things well in advance and stick to those plans. It is not enough that the universities prescribe textbooks containing planning lessons but they should also learn to make use of it. If the universities find it difficult to conduct so many exams all through the year, at least the colleges should seek autonomy so that the conduct of examinations will not remain the universities’ responsibility any more.

Jyothi D.

Thrissur

The late conduct of the annual exams, consequent on late admissions and resultant late commencement of first term puts the students to a lot of hardship and much loss.

Students who seek admission to colleges in other universities for higher studies are not able to submit mark lists along with their applications, as results are delayed. This results in loss of one full year.

By the time results are published, admissions in other varsities would be already over.

To rectify this, it is desirable, nay essential, that we resort to good old times when academic year began on June 1, annual exams on March 20, practicals before April 7 and results by mid-May. Let us move on in the right direction and not lag behind.

K.B. Rajagopalan

Chittoor Road

All aspects of life have changed wonderfully except the university exams.

The universities in Kerala still follow the conventional system of examinations. This has been time consuming and demanding lots of human labour.

What is needed is introduction of new methods of exams and evaluation. The universities have been overburdened with a variety of courses, that too in the semester system. If the conduct of exams and the evaluation of results of undergraduate courses are entrusted to the colleges concerned, the burden of the universities can be reduced to a considerable extent. Further, we need innovations.

A good number of exams can be conducted in the objective type (similar to the entrance exams to medical and engineering courses), the valuation can be done with the help of computers. This reduces the time taken for the publication of results.

Actually the students of the universities of Kerala are the worst hit because they lose a year if they choose courses in other States where admission to higher studies is finalised even before the publication of results by the universities in Kerala.

Unless strong measures are taken to modernise the exams agreeable to the changing times, students of Kerala are likely to lose lots of their time.

K. Ram Das

Haripad

The play of politics and increasing inefficiency creeping into the universities are the main cause for the delays in the conduct of examinations and publishing of results and the worry of students, especially those who would like to seek their fortune outside the State. Hartals and violence on campus may cause postponement of examinations. But the universities should be able to conduct the examinations in the next working day instead of resorting to long postponements.

A. Jacob Sahayam

Thiruvananthapuram

Unfortunately, educational planning and implementation has been unsatisfactory in the State. Many shortcomings have come to the forefront which ultimately derail developmental activities. Educational reforms have become the need of the hour to correct the shortcomings and failures. The first and foremost thing is that political parties should not play with the educational sector. All political parties should agree to this concept, considering the value of education as well as the country’s development. This will enable students and teachers to fix a time schedule for academics and also for the conduct of examinations. Government should come out with new educational policy by unifying the educational system. Educational sector should be included in the essential sector and should be exempted from bandhs and hartals and students should be allowed to attend to their regular class, exams and so on. Autonomy has to be given to educational sector and also to various research institutes but at the same time accountability is to be ensured. Once this consensus is achieved, that alone will solve myriads of problem facing the State.

V. Venkitasubramanian

Thammanam

A Couple of years ago, the universities in Kerala were caught in examination muddles. Lack of integrated syllabi and haphazard evaluation process were the reasons that marred the conduct of the examinations. Of course, the victims were essentially the hapless scholars only.

These things should not have happened in the conduct of university examinations. Universities are the realms of higher learning and the authorities should treat them as such. Then only their affairs can be conducted smoothly.

A time-frame and a template are imperative in the conduct of examinations. The staff drawn for setting question papers should have proven proficiency and integrity and so must be those who are nominated for evaluation. Enough staff shall be drawn for the task in consonance with the need. Evaluator’s cavalier attitude affects the quality of evaluation. Institution of monetary incentives to motivate the evaluation staff may fetch rich results.

N. Sadasivan Pillai

Camp: Modinabad

All universities in the State have earned their unpopularity whether it is in admission, conduct of the examinations, setting the question papers, declaring the results, supplying the mark lists or administration as a whole.

One really wonders how a university can be inefficient to that extent. The universities should thank the student folks for not dragging them to courts as many times for denying the opportunities for higher studies in other universities for want of mark lists that have to be submitted with the applications.

Delayed admissions, late conduct of the exams, late publishing of the results and the delay in issuing mark lists is a chain reaction for the basic cause.

To these miseries, one can add students’ agitations in colleges and universities as another reason.

The proposed plan to streamline the entire activities by setting up schedules is a welcome sign, provided it is adhered to. Let us appreciate the belated wisdom and hope it will bear fruit.

P. Surendranath

Palarivattom

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