More assessment centres for MU papers

Keen on decentralising the process of answer sheet assessment this year, the University of Mumbai has decided to do away with the central assessment programme (CAP) centres, Bhavya Dore reports.

Keen on decentralising the process of answer sheet assessment this year, the University of Mumbai has decided to do away with the central assessment programme (CAP) centres. Instead of single nodal centre at various locations, many more colleges will become assessment centres. The decision was taken at a board of examinations meeting on Monday.

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The procedure for some years until last year was that teachers from different colleges would go to one particular college, designated as an assessment centre, for paper correction.

“The increase in centres will vary from subject to subject,” said Naresh Chandra, pro vice-chancellor of the university. Last year, there were 32 CAP centres for third year BCom paper corrections, which sees the largest number of candidates. Chandra didn’t have a figure but said there would be many more than 32 this time.

The university has more than 600 affiliated colleges. Now, the responsibility will in larger measure be placed on colleges, with the college principal overseeing the process in his/ her capacity as the chief conductor of exams.

“This means giving more responsibility to colleges and involvement of more teachers in the assessment process,” said TP Madhu Nair, dean of the commerce faculty.

In the mean time, the teachers’ threat of boycotting all exam-related work continues, with talks with the government having failed last week. The most significant university exams begin in the second half of March, so university officials are still hopeful of an amicable settlement by then.

“The agitation is still on. Considering the discussion that has taken place, we cannot call it off,” said CR Sadasivan, president of the Bombay University and College Teachers’ Union.