Regulations to book erring paper-setters are not harsh enough

Updated on: Thursday, May 02, 2013

Even as thousands of students spend anxious hours in the examination hall over erroneous papers, paper-setters responsible for these goof-ups get away easily. University officials said that the regulations to book these paper-setters are not harsh enough. These teachers are either blacklisted or debarred from examination work, or they face a penalty, depending on the seriousness of their negligence.

Commerce dean Madhu Nair said the maximum the university can do is blacklist the teachers. "These teachers are not allowed to set university papers. If the negligence is even more severe, the university can charge them a penalty. Nothing beyond that." Nair added that the negligence has no connection to the seniority of teachers. In fact, a very senior teacher was involved in the paper-setting process in a recent goof-up. In another instance, the paper-setter, who is supposed to be in the exam control room during the paper, was not present.

"In India, we follow the affiliation system. Colleges are affiliated to the university and, therefore, the university cannot directly take action against teachers as they are appointed by colleges. The law permits only disciplinary action against such defaulting teachers," said Nair. He added that the university has to wait for response to showcause notices and only then can it initiate action. "We have to follow the law and the law is not harsh enough," said the dean.

But how does one ensure that the question papers are error-free? Outgoing in-charge controller of examinations Deepak Wasave said only the paper-setters can ensure that. "I feel that there has been utter negligence on the paper-setter's part. The mistakes are so large that the university is unable to handle the situation. We are very sorry about the goings-on. We cannot check the question papers; that would tantamount to leakage of the paper. The total responsibility of the question paper rests with the paper-setter," Wasave added.

A senior teacher said that several times, it is the board of studies members who end up giving the task of setting a paper to a person known to them, without checking their credentials. Hinduja College principal T A Shiware said the university can, at the very least, make it compulsory for colleges to get approved teachers on board. "If the colleges fail to have approved teachers on board, the university can take action against such colleges. They can de-affiliate the course in that particular college. There has to be some action at some stage," said the principal.

Regulations to book erring paper-setters are not harsh enough

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