Calcutta University faculty to evaluate all PG answer scripts – Times of India

KOLKATA: Calcutta University (CU) has decided to evaluate the answer scripts of post-graduation students studying in various PG programmes run by the colleges from the upcoming semester. The examinations are scheduled to be held between March 8 and 26.
“The decision has been taken to introduce transparency in the evaluation system since the degree is awarded by CU, which bears the hallmark of excellence in imparting quality education,” said a university source.
A department head teaching PG programmes in CU confirmed that emails have been sent to officials, asking them to evaluate all PG answer scripts. “In the letter, it has been mentioned that in the case of subjects for which colleges also conduct postgraduate courses, it is necessary for uniform evaluation that the answer scripts of all students both from colleges and universities should be evaluated by faculty members of the corresponding university departments,” said the teacher. He added that the faculties have been told to convene departmental committee meeting.
“PG examinations of CU are conducted by PG board of studies. The HoD of the department concerned is the chairperson of the board and members are from both university and colleges. Hence, it is sufficient to inform the chairperson only about the modalities of the examination,” said pro-VC (academic) Ashis Chatterjee. The college principals may be subsequently informed about the change.
One of the college principal, however, expressed his reservation over the decision. “Though evaluation by university examiners will bring in uniformity, we have noticed multiple times that the PG students in the university get an advantage because the question papers are set by their faculty members. Now, if the scripts from colleges are being evaluated by the same faculty members who teach university students, then there is a possibility of bias,” he said.
Another college head pointed out that the PG students studying at the various departments get coached in a manner when they know which topics of a subject will have to be prepared well because the teachers emphasize on them in the class. “This pattern leads the students to understand which chapters and concepts they have to prepare and which they can neglect. This advantage is missing for those studying in colleges,” she explained. Siuli Sarkar, the principal of Lady Brabourne College, said she would urge the PG departments to share the list of important chapters before examinations.
“The faculty members in colleges have the same qualification and teaching experience as university teachers. Even the pay scale is identical. When the colleges were given the sanction to teach PG programmes, they were made autonomous. After the introduction of the Choice-Based Credit System, autonomy is being curbed. First, CU decided to bring parity in the syllabus and prepare question papers. Now they will evaluate the answer scripts. Where is the autonomy of colleges?” asked an agitated HoD.
CU authorities, however, claim that some colleges give “advantage” to PG students by awarding them marks if the evaluation remains in their jurisdiction.