Mangalore University draws flak for change in vacation, exam evaluation schedudule

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 15, 2022: Mangalore University’s (MU) changes to the end-semester timetable has been widely criticised by professors and students.

Semester examinations commenced on April 6, and culminated on Wednesday. Earlier, holidays were declared soon after the end semester examination. However, this time classes have commenced for the second, fourth and sixth semesters, from Thursday. The evaluation of exam papers has been postponed, and MU is yet to announce dates for the same.

According to a senior professor, two or three weeks of holidays are given to students after the end-semester exam, and evaluation is conducted during that time. “This time the schedule has changed for both, which inconveniences students and lecturers. MU, due to lobbying by private educational institutions, has changed the rules. If holidays are declared, private institutions have to pay one month of salary, without making their staff work. Therefore, this plan has been devised to help private institutions,” said a senior professor.

In a letter written by the principal of a government first grade college to MU, the principal requested the varsity to postpone the new semester classes till May 23. The staff who are busy with exam work, do not have enough holidays before the new semester starts. Besides, many college campuses are facing a water shortage. A majority of students wait for the results after the exam, and the delay in results will deny them the opportunity to apply for several scholarship programmes.

Another college principal added that though classes for odd semesters started on Thursday, attendance is below 50%. “It is because students need a break after the end semester examination, and they are in no mood to come to class immediately,” said the principal.

Sources from MU added that the evaluation of exam papers will be conducted in mid-June. At the same time, an internal assessment exam of the odd semester will be held. “This is not a good idea,” the source added.

When TOI contacted P L Dharma, registrar (evaluation), he maintained that changes were made to streamline the academic calendar, which is hampered due to the pandemic, and denied any lobbying. “The students and professors have to make some sacrifices. The evaluation is delayed, as there are no clear guidelines for it, while using the Unified University and College Management System (UUCMS), which has recently been introduced. We will start evaluations only after the guidelines are received,” he added.

Courtesy: Times of India