Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, September 15, 2007
EXAMINATION SYSTEM in colleges and universities across the country might be in for an overhaul if the University Grants Commission (UGC) has its way. The UGC wants to introduce semester system, along with grades, in the under graduate and postgraduate levels.
Chairman of the UGC Prof. S. K. Thorat revealed this while addressing a session on the 11th five-year plan at Jadavpur University. The two-day session was kicked-off on Saturday with more than 50 vice-chancellors from various universities in eastern Indian attending it.
“Our colleges and universities follow one-time examination system. But conducting year-end annual exam and promoting students on the basis of it is not scientific. The semester system is more scientific and it is time to implement it,” Thorat said.
Thorat has also proposed to start grading system in college and university exam as is done in Class X and XII board tests. “It is a scientific approach. However, in the initial years if grade is awarded along with marks and then the marking system is completely abolished it will not be of any problem for both students and teachers,” said one of the vice-chancellors present at the meet.
In the 11th five-year plan the UGC has received some proposals for starting semester system and gradation in UG and PG studies. However, before taking a final decision in the matter, the UGC is discussing the proposal in all the four zones of the country.
After the proposal is discussed threadbare, the UGC will conduct a centralised meeting and send the final proposal to the ministry of human resource development for approval.
Thorat also felt that the measure would increase the gross enrolment ratio in higher education throughout the country. “The gross enrolment ratio in higher education in Indian is 10 per cent but in developed countries like the US it is 15 per cent. We will like to increase the ratio to 15 per cent by 2012 and implementation of the semester and gradation systems will give this initiative a big boost,” said Thorat.
Thorat also felt that in order to increase the enrolment ratio all institutes of higher learning will have to increase the mobility of students from one institution to another for research or for pursuing various subjects.
Thorat, however, touched a sensitive issue when he proposed a revision in fees in colleges and universities.Mou.Chakraborty@hindustatimnes.com
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