Gujarat University mulls over decision to let colleges conduct exams independently

In a major academic shift, the Gujarat University is mulling over a decision to allow colleges to conduct examinations on their own and also assess the papers, thereby reducing their role to just being the monitoring body for the overall process.

For years, GU has been not only setting papers, but also conducting exams, assessing papers, and declaring results, wherein the delay in results was the biggest challenge.

Confirming the same, Himanshu Pandya, Vice-Chancellor, GU, said, "We are mulling over a decision to allow colleges to conduct exams and assess papers, too. We will just be a monitoring body and will be setting the examination papers. We have been facing a lot of issues in bringing all the teachers here for paper assessment and many do not turn up for the same, which eventually results in a delay in announcing the results. We will cut down on a lot of expenses with this change. Also, what happens is that since criteria and teaching methods of every college differs, lot of injustice is done to students while paper checking, due to which we get many requests for re-checking and moderation as students are often not satisfied."

This year onward, we are also commencing the new academic year from June 14, a month and half early. Colleges have to finish one term in 100 days, so this time they will get 116 days to complete their term and conduct the exams. We will be meeting the student leaders next week to discuss the same," he said.

Pointing out the flaws in the present system, Saurabh Choksi, ex-dean, Faculty of Commerce, said, "In the current system, teachers are not regular in the assessment and due to this there is a major delay in results. Most teachers do not turn up for the assessment and it is a huge challenge that the university is facing. The new proposed system will be like going back to our roots. While the change will lessen the burden on the university, the issue will be variations in results. In order to maintain their image, many colleges may end up favouring their students by giving more marks. In the current system, the university not only sets the papers, but assesses and declares the result, too. When AU Patel was the vice-chancellor, he had made it mandatory for teachers to verify and assess at least 300 papers. If the new system is introduced, I think the university will have to be extra cautious in terms of managing everything properly."

When asked about favourism, Pandya said that this new system would encourage it. He said, "Favourism may take place, but we always have moderation of papers done and get them evaluated by a third party."

CHALLENGES IN PRESENT SYSTEM:

• Massive expense
   
• Teachers do not turn up for assessment
   
• Increase in moderation of marks cases
   
• Delay in results

WHAT IS IN WITH NEW SYSTEM:

• GU will set examination papers
   
• Exams conducted by colleges
   
• Assessment done by colleges
   
• Results to be declared by colleges