Mumbai varsity’s new exam schedule may eat into teachers’ holidays

Few days after HT reported that the dates for first-year degree college examinations could clash with class 12 tests, the new dates for the University of Mumbai

Few days after HT reported that the dates for first-year degree college examinations could clash with class 12 tests, the new dates for the University of Mumbai exams is creating more complications.

According to the initial draft of the schedule for first-year (second semester) exams, exams will now begin after April 15. (HT FILE)

According to the initial draft of the schedule for first-year (second semester) exams, exams will now begin after April 15. This means, college teachers will be busy supervising exams from mid-March all the way till the last week of April and might end up assessing papers all through the May vacations.

“Assessment will not be an easy task because teachers will have to ensure that they finish their work within a stipulated period in order to ensure that results are declared in time. With exams being held all the way till end of April, most assessment work will begin in May, which teachers are against,” said Kiran Mangaonkar, principal of GN Khalsa College, Matunga. He added that the University of Mumbai’s latest introduction of on-screen assessment for all answer booklets will only add to the delay.

Last week, MU had announced that the second semester exams will begin in mid-March and then principals complained that the dates will clash with HSC examinations. The new dates too are already receiving flak from colleges. “MU cannot turn a blind eye on teachers’ right to a break from academic work. Earlier, when we could conduct first and second year exams as per our schedule, we ensured that college assessment was completed before university assessment began,” said Anju Kapoor, principal of UPG College, Vile Parle. She added that such a pattern of exams will burden teachers physically as well as mentally with extra work.

Officials from MU have also received requests from many teachers to allow them to finish assessment of first and second year exams first, and then be sent for third year assessment. “We have put forth this issue to the academic council and sought a solution. Meanwhile, we will release the final schedule of first year examinations after consultation with some principals and senior university members,” said Deepak Wasave, in-charge, Controller of Examinations (CoE). He added that the final schedule will be released soon.

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