Teachers’ boycott hits TYBCom assessment

Assessment of final year BCom papers was off to a chaotic start on Thursday, with teachers continuing their boycott and many refusing to report for assessment. If the agitation continues, results may not be declared by the mandated time of within 45 days from the last exam.

Assessment of final year BCom papers was off to a chaotic start on Thursday, with teachers continuing their boycott and many refusing to report for assessment. If the agitation continues, results may not be declared by the mandated time of within 45 days from the last exam.

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“Results will be on time, provided the strike is withdrawn shortly,” said TP Madhu Nair, dean of Mumbai university’s commerce faculty.

There are 52 centres in the city for BCom paper assessment. Though there are no official figures on attendance, university officials admitted a low turnout on the first day. “It was skeletal attendance because of the boycott,” said Nair.

More than 40,000 teachers across the state have been on strike since February 4 over salary and appointment issues, and they have refused to supervise exams. The University of Mumbai roped in other staff to help conduct exams, but teachers are essential for assessment.

“Assessments have started, but in some places it might be slow,” said Naresh Chandra, pro vice-chancellor of the university.

Despite assessment issues, the exams conducted on Thursday for final year BMS, BSc, BCom (financial management) and BSc (IT) went off smoothly.
Union minister Sharad Pawar is slated to speak to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan about the teachers’ demands.