The University of Mumbai has appointed a committee to keep a check on the allotment and assessment of internal marks by colleges in the new credit-based system, wherein students are given marks on 60:40 ratio; 60 marks are allotted for theory paper and 40 marks for internal assignments and project work.
The move has been prompted after the pass percentage of students last year showed an abnormal increase from 69 per cent to 81 per cent, giving rise to allegations from student organisations that colleges were giving marks arbitrarily.
According to Shrikant Jagtap, a member of Vidyarthi Bharati, a student organisation, it was noticed that the pass percentage of students from the Commerce stream last year had been unduly high due to the free marks allotted by colleges for internal assignments and project work.
“If one takes into consideration the overall results of students in the mid-year exams last year, it can be seen that the pass percentage was only 43 per cent. However, the same colleges that had such low passing rate suddenly jumped to 75 and 85 per cent in the final exams,” said Mr Jagtap.
The organisation had staged an agitation regarding this two weeks ago, following which the University decided to institute a committee to look into the issues.
“There had been a demand for a review on the evaluation method and assessment of internal marks, due to which the University decided to form a probe committee,” said a senior official from the University.
The three-member committee will probe into complaints about “excessively liberal evaluation” and will also recommend solutions.
Dr Madhu Nair, dean of Commerce and member of the review committee
said, “In the event of a student scoring well in internal marking, but scoring low in theory paper his/her internal marking will be verified and scaled down if any discrepancies are found.”
He added that this would, however, be verified with the University Grants Commission norms.
Dr Naresh Chandra, pro-vice chancellor of MU said, “We have appointed a review committee, which is working on the issue. Furthermore, we have invited feedback and suggestions from all stakeholders.”