The Mumbai University’s (MU) controversial policy of scaling down internal marks has taken a new turn, with first year undergraduate students demanding its implementation with retrospective effect for the final year students.
The juniors say the seniors should also be brought under the ambit of the new rule as there should be a level-playing field and that the move could divide the campus.
“They (final year undergraduates and postgraduates) would have scaled down marks only for one year, while we will suffer for three years which will affect our cumulative grade in the final year. This is unfair and unjust,” rued a first year student of Bhavan’s college, Andheri.
Under the new policy, which came into effect in September, if marks in the internal assessment and the semester-end examination differ by more than 20 per cent, the marks in internal assessment will be scaled down by the varsity. The new norm is applicable to all semesters of UG and PG courses. It affects more than 5 lakh students across 500 colleges affiliated to MU.
While the seniors have rubbished the juniors’ demand, they want the policy to be scrapped. Also, many students’ and teachers’ unions have suggested 20:80 weightage instead of 40:60 for internal and external assessment. Over 1,500 students signed a petition against the policy last week and submitted it to the vice-chancellor.
Even principals across colleges are asking whether MU was right in implementing the policy for the second and third year students. “Policies are usually launched for the first year students to maintain uniformity,” said a college principal.
Another principal said the policy is faulty and needs to be scrapped altogether as it contradicts the principles of credit based system
With resentment growing across colleges, MU officials were not ready to speak on the matter. In October, the MU had promised to re-look the policy in the senate.
The scale down policy
Under the policy, if marks in the internal assessment and the semester-end examination differ by more than 20 per cent, the marks in internal assessment will be scaled down.
The new norm is applicable to all semesters of UG and PG courses in science, arts and commerce faculty.
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