With a few cases of erroneous evaluation coming to the fore of the University of Mumbai, the varsity has now decided to computerise the assessment process.
Going by the new rule laid down by the MU, answer scripts will now be scanned and teachers will be expected to evaluate them online, using only the cursor of the mouse. They would not be able to make any additional changes. Such technological modifications would only be implemented from the March 2013 exams onwards, said the University officials.
The news of failing in the two papers of his March/April 2012 final exams conducted by the MU came as a shock to Rohan Kadam (name changed), a science student from a city college.
Mr Kadam was one of the brighter students of his college and consequently applied for revaluation on his teachers’ advice. After the revaluation, the 0 and 4 marks that he had got in the two papers dramatically changed to 44 and 54 marks.
After the University had conducted an enquiry, it came to light that Mr Kadam’s answer script was not assessed at all and marks had been allotted randomly, said sources from the MU.
While it is still not known what action was taken against the errant assessor, the University has decided to go in for computerised evaluation of the answer scripts.
MU pro-vice-chancellor, Dr Naresh Chandra said, “The initiative is part of the end-to-end technological solutions that the University is trying to introduce in the examination process. Extensive use of technology by the University is something people can look forward to in the future.”