Final-yr univ students anxious about optional exams’ viability

Final-yr univ students anxious about optional exams’ viability

Yogita Rao & Hemali Chhapia TNN

Mumbai: 21.06.2020

A day after the state issued a government resolution making final-year university exams optional, students and principals have raised concerns over its viability.

Students are worried about getting a level playing field with both the options—promotion based on performance in previous semesters and writing the exam. Many are concerned about the industry’s reaction to promoted graduates. Uncertainty over conduct of exams is likely till the Covid crisis continues, delaying their prospects.

The ideal solution was to promote all students and allow them to opt for grade improvement later, said a principal. He added the decision was politically influenced. “Now students will be confused about the choice. They will be worried that their batchmates who opt for exams may have better prospects,” he said.

Parvathi Venkatesh, principal of Don Bosco College, said, “I feel studious and bright children will prefer to take the exams and average students will opt for the average scoring scheme. But parents are also wondering how the job market will react to a student who did not take the exams.”

Academicians recalled in 1975 when no exams were held, the batch was at a “disadvantage” and many companies put candidates through an exam before hiring them. Students had several queries on the manner in which the past performance would be calculated, as also if there would be any remark on their scorecard, whether they took the exams or the final score was an average of their past performance. The student community, which is in touch with their college faculty, asked if universities abroad seek a clarification on this matter, what would be the response.

“If a remark is put stating the score is an average of past semesters, everyone will opt for the exams,” said a princip al. HR college head Parag Thakkar said, “I feel students would wait for a clarification on how scores will be calculated in the average marking scheme before taking a call.” Principals said seeking a written consent from 1,500 to 2,000 students from individual colleges may also be tedious. Creating two sets of students will be difficult, but can be done by reaching out to them on mails and through the website, said Rajendra Shinde, principal, St Xavier’s College.