The Works

| 2002 |

Revamp of GU exam system on cards

Expressing deep regret over the suicide of Akshata Prabhu of Kavale-Ponda, who was allegedly under stress after her results were kept in ‘reserve’, Goa University Vice Chancellor Dr Zacarias has assured to revamp the current examination system of the university.

Dr Zacarias stated that the changes, once ratified by the Academic Council, would be introduced by the next academic year.

The Vice-Chancellor made the assurances while speaking to a delegation of about 40 students from the Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre at Shiroda, who called on him at the University this morning.

Led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarti Parishad (ABVP), the students delegation first met Goa University Registrar Prof Jayant Budkuley.

Not satisfied with the outcome of the discussion, the students began to shout slogans in the main administrative block of the Goa University (GU).

The Vice-Chancellor, who joined Goa University recently, then came out to address students outside the examination section of the block.

While assuring to raise the issue of the current exam system before the Academic council which meets next month, the vice-chancellor however insisted that changes in current exam system could not be enforced during the current academic year.

“I was extremely sad to hear of the death of the student and I have asked the registrar to inquire into the matter,” remarked Dr Zacarias.

The Vice-Chancellor insisted that since he recently took over as Vice Chancellor of Goa University, he has been keen to change the pattern of exams being followed by GU.

“Once the revamped examination system is endorsed by the Academic Council,” he said, “the benefit of a quicker assessment would first be given to the final year students.”

Dr Zacarias explained to the delegation that the system of double evaluation was started by GU for the benefit students, following complaints of students.

“Under the double evaluation system, the paper is evaluated twice. The paper is however sent for a third evaluation only if there was a discrepancy of over 20 marks between the first and second assessment,” stated Dr Zacarias

“Even if the third evaluation does not tally with the first two assessments,” he added, “then the average of the nearest two marks obtained in the assessments is considered as the final result.”

When the delegation voiced resentment over the quality of evaluations by the lecturers, the Vice-chancellor made it clear that names of evaluators were proposed by the Board of Studies and that the University had no role to play in choosing evaluators.

He asked the students to put forth their grievances in writing and assured that their views would be discussed at the next Academic Council meeting.

Assuring to initiate changes in the examination pattern, Dr Zacarias informed the students that he would probe if a second evaluation was needed at all.

While emphasising the importance of a system which would ensure time-bound exams and speedy results, Dr Zacarias said the GU was trying to automate the entire examination system by January 2002.

To a suggestion, the vice-chancellor agreed that students would henceforth be intimated if any paper was kept in reserve, pending the third evaluation.

“Keeping the paper in reserve does not mean that the student has failed,” insisted Dr Zacarias.

He also agreed that results would not be kept in reserve for a long period and that it would be declared within the time-frame of the GU rules.

The delegation then submitted a memorandum to Dr Zacarias, demanding the scrapping of the double assessment system.

The Vice-Chancellor refused to give his assurances in writing, but agreed to ask the Registrar to issue a statement, indicating the GU’s acceptance to relook into the current exam pattern and to introduce a revamped pattern from the next academic year.

Later speaking to Herald, Dr Zacarias said he immediately contacted the college principal and teachers yesterday, to inquire into the suicide of Akshata Prabhu.

“The principal and staff said they had assured the student that she would not only pass in the reserved paper, but would score high marks,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that his main concern was to improve the examination pattern.

“At present, the double evaluation system has caused some problems, which has involved administrative and academic delay. What ever the system adopted by Goa University, it should not destroy the student’s confidence in the exams,” insisted Dr Zacarias.

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