Calicut University appoints Non-Teachers to evaluate answer scripts of degree and PG examinations of private students

Updated on: Saturday, September 22, 2012

In an unprecedented move, the Calicut University has decided to entrust the evaluation of answer scripts of degree and postgraduate examinations of private students with non-teachers in complete violation of the provisions of the varsity statutes and ordinances.

As per the new decision, a postgraduate degree with 55% marks is what it takes to become an examiner in the varsity. The university will prepare a panel of examiners to evaluate the answer scripts of private students, after an interview.

The decision of the university syndicate on Thursday has raised eyebrows among the academic community as chapter- 4 of the CU First Ordinances 1978 clearly says that "teaching experience in an affiliated college or university' is a musthave for appointment as examiners."

University officials justified the decision as the valuation of thousands of answer sheets are held up due to lack of regular college teachers who are willing to take up valuation work. The huge number of private students under varsity was making the valuation process an unwieldy exercise. Higher secondary school teachers and parallel college teachers will also be considered for appointment as examiners, they said.

Dr T P Ahmed, member of the Syndicate examination standing committee, said, "The varsity is forced to take the decision, as regular college teachers who are getting UGC scale salaries no longer find the remuneration of Rs 10 per answer paper attractive." "We are looking for people with post graduate degree, preferably those who have passed out within the last five years, as they will be more abreast with the latest developments in the field," he said.

"Currently there is a delay of four months in the valuation which has cost many students an academic year," Ahmed added. The university senate will have to amend the statutes to implement the decision.

Meanwhile, the decision has startled many in the academic community. K P Muraleedharan, dean of commerce and management studies and former president of the Association of Calicut University Teachers (ACT), said, "The decision violates all standards of academic propriety as in reality it will amount to entrusting the critical valuation process with a bunch of unemployed postgraduates. Just getting 55% marks will not qualify a person to evaluate the degree and PG level examinations. Only those with requisite teaching experience will be able to conduct the valuation and it is absurd to entrust the valuation of answer scripts with non- teachers."

Student organizations also think the decision is yet another instance of the varsities discrimination against the private students. "How can the varsity has different valuation standards for the private students who are awarded the same degree by the university," SIO state president Shihab Pookottur asked.

Calicut University appoints Non-Teachers to evaluate answer scripts of degree and PG examinations of private students

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