Few takers for voluntary exams

VADODARA, July 28: Even before the introduction of the voluntary examinations in the Faculty of Arts, M S University, from the beginning ...

VADODARA, July 28: Even before the introduction of the voluntary examinations in the Faculty of Arts, M S University, from the beginning of this academic year, some Faculty students and professors have expressed reservations about the seriousness of the decision, claiming that it would not be an effective way to evaluate students8217; performance.

Talking to Express Newsline, Head of the English Department P C Kar said, 8220;The introduction of these examinations will be effective at the post graduate-level but not at the graduation level. The students won8217;t prepare too seriously for an examination if the marks weren8217;t added to the results for the internal examinations.8221;

His views were echoed by some students of the Political Science and English departments. An English student added, 8220;The term voluntary8217; itself will act as a deterrent and not many will be willing to appear for the exams.8221;

8220;Though the examinations will help us evaluate our performance and preparation, if their marks are not added somewhere, we don8217;t see the need to appear for the examinations every month,8221; said one Sociology student.

Dean of the Arts Faculty D H Mohite, however, was very clear about the purpose the examinations would serve. He said, 8220;The examinations will be conducted every month after teachers are instructed to complete a portion of the syllabus and set questions on that. The students themselves will check the answer-scripts and evaluate them on the guidelines provided by the teachers.

8220;If I make it compulsory for the students to appear for the exams, they8217;ll become like any other tests, and they won8217;t be able to assess themselves.8221;

A student of the Political science department, however, said voluntary examinations were not the correct way to assess students, since performance in them would not affect their overall percentage.

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N Rajaram, a Sociology professor, however, welcomed the introduction of the voluntary examinations, maintaining it would be a big help for those keen on improving their performance and assessing themselves.