Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

JNTU's new exam system results in pass percentage drop

By R. Ravikanth Reddy

HYDERABAD Dec. 29. The introduction of Electronic Distribution (ED) of papers in the semester examinations by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) has resulted in drastic reduction in the pass percentage in nearly 50 per cent of engineering colleges in the State.

The pass percentage has dropped to single digits in some colleges from a very high figure noticed in the previous examination.

According to sources, the affected colleges included some prominent ones and acknowledged as `good' colleges apart from those located in remote areas. "The reduction in pass percentage indicates that all is not well with the examination in some colleges and we stand vindicated," an official says.

The ED system was introduced from November 2002 after some colleges leaked the semester examination question papers resulting in cancellation of the examination in all colleges. Instead of sending printed question papers to colleges, JNTU decided to put them online and reveal the password to the colleges an hour before the commencement of the examination for accessing them so as to take out prints and distribute the same. Four different sets of question papers were prepared to avoid copying.

"The system was opposed by some colleges initially but we went ahead in the interest of students," says the JNTU Vice-Chancellor, Y. Venkatrami Reddy. "It is the first such concept introduced anywhere in India and several universities have evinced keen interest in the system." Prof. Reddy also says that genuine students are happy with the introduction of the system as they were now sure those dubious elements will be kept in check.

The university has also found that some colleges are playing foul with internal examinations (quiz), which contribute 20 per cent of marks to the final marks sheets. The colleges apparently enhanced the marks on a platter for a better image in the market before sending them to the university. The discrepancies are so glaring that some candidates have been awarded more than the total marks.

Officials say that 15 colleges have so far been penalised ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 60,000 for the fraud. "The Executive Council decided to punish such erring colleges three times with penal fee and later disaffiliate if the mistakes continue," points out Prof. Reddy. To contain this fraud, the university decided to conduct the internal examinations also online. The students will have to take the examination online in their college with question paper generated randomly by the computer. However, the university will also have access to it.

K. Govindarajulu, Controller of Examinations, says that the process of developing the question bank is on apart from training teachers. The third phase of training is presently going on while teachers are also checking each and every question to be stored. The university is being assisted by Ganta Subba Rao of the Centre for Good Governance in finalising the project.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Science & Tech | Entertainment | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• No breakthrough in Abids dacoity, Saifabad murders
• Police likely to invoke AP COCA against accused
• BSNL plans expansion
• Panel makes surprise visit to medical college
• JNTU's new exam system results in pass percentage drop
• Industrial exhibition to open on January 1
• Legislation to monitor private security agencies mooted
• City police to recruit 400 constables

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu