Kerala

Professional management of universities vital

We need a common detailed working calendar for all universities in the State. All details regarding the functioning of the universities should be listed in it. All those concerned should be asked to adhere to the dates indicated in the calendar. Lack of compliance without proper reasons should be severely dealt with. A common body should be constituted for the preparation of the calendar. It should have representatives of teaching and non-teaching staff and students.

Madhavanunni

Pattambi

Universities are autonomous institutions and scope for government intervention is limited. However, in the interests of the student community, the government should take action to avert crisis-like situations. Our students should not lose opportunities on account of delay in taking examinations. There should be concerted action and the political parties should take the lead. Professionalism should be induced in the functioning of the universities as the task at hand is complex.

K.K. Kunhikannan

Koyilandy

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.

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

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

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

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.

V. Venkitasubramanian

Thammanam

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

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