Teachers: Decision to hit education standard

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 16

Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has stirred up a hornets’ nest by reducing pass percentage under the semester system from 45 to 40 and scrapping the provision making it mandatory to secure 35 per cent marks separately in continuous comprehensive assessment (CCA) and end semester examination (ESE).

Members of the Himachal Government College Teachers’ Association said the decision was contrary to the government’s claim of bringing qualitative improvement in education as it would further deteriorate the standard. Students clearing the exams with combined 40 per cent marks in CCA and ESE would not be able to stand in competition with other universities.

“It is mockery of the system and will render all efforts to improve the quality of education futile. It will bring bad name to the “A” grade university,” said the association.

College teachers alleged that neither stakeholders were consulted nor repercussions of the move were considered. “The university authorities are playing with the future of the students. Amending the criteria only for the convenience of a handful students with strong political backing does not augur well for the university as well as students,” said Dr Dharam Veer and Prof RL Sharma, president and general secretary of the association.

As per the latest notification, students are required to secure only 10 to 12 marks out of 70 to pass in a subject. It would put pressure on teachers to give them 28 to 30 marks out of 30 in CCA to clear the examination. It also implies that a student now requires only 14 to 15 per cent marks instead of 35 per cent marks in the end semester examination and the gap will be filled through CCA.

In the initial stage of RUSA, there was 50:50 criteria for CCA and end semester examination and the minimum passing marks were 45 per cent without any criteria of separately securing pass marks in CCA and ESM.

The association alleged that the university authorities were directing colleges to reassess failed students in internal assessment, which was given as per the criteria fixed by the university in different components — attendance (5 marks), mid-term test (15) and overall assessment through class seminars, tests, behaviour and assignments (10 marks).

It alleged that the move was aimed at giving good results at the cost of education quality. “If the authorities want this type of results, they should distribute degrees to all those who enroll in the colleges,” said experts.

What the lastest notification says

Students are required to secure only 10 to 12 marks out of 70 to pass in a subject. It would put pressure on teachers to give them 28 to 30 marks out of 30 in CCA to clear the examination. It also implies that a student now requires only 14 to 15 per cent marks instead of 35 per cent marks in the end semester examination and the gap will be filled through CCA.