Separate exam board likely for higher studies

“If the exams part is separated,varsities could give more time to academics,” said Nandkumar Nikam,president of state federation of principals. He was speaking at the seminar on examination reforms on higher education arranged by Vidyapeeth Vikas Manch.

“The state government recently invited suggestions on having an independent examination board for conducting engineering and other courses that come under the AICTE. If the move is extended to other streams too,universities will be free from the huge burden of exams,” he said. He cited the example of SSC/HSC board that conducts the exams for the entire state. “Something can be thought for higher education too along these lines,” he said.

Central Planning Commission member Narendra Jadhav,who was the chief guest at the function,applauded the suggestion and said the state government should consider it seriously.

With the growth in affiliated colleges and hence number of students,load has increased manifold in last few years. However,the staff in the examination section has not increased in that proportion.

The University of Pune,for example,has around 6,00,000 students. The examination department has to conduct exams for these students every year and that has led to many discrepancies such as wrong marking,paper leak and mass copying. Moreover,unavailability of approved teachers to correct the answer sheets has also emerged as a major issue.