EXAMINATION REFORMS
 

University of Calcutta, Calcutta (Seminar held on 19th and 20th September, 1990)

- Semesterisation, abolition of public examination and the introduction of the system of certification by the individual institution can not be recommended at this stage. Instead the public examination system is to be improved upon.

- Delinking of job from degree in the present context would work as a disincentive for general education, and, if user institutions or employers are given free hand to build up their testing mechanism parallel to state system of public education, the entire system of education will soon be turned into too narrowly conceived vocational training courses.

Gandhi Peace Foundation., 221-23 Dean Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi- 110002 (Consultation held on 13th and 14th October; 1990)

- The system of affiliated colleges must be abolished forwith so that they become autonomous.

Fr. A. Orea, Inspector, Catholic Schools, Post Box No.2, Ranchi- 834001 (14th November, 1990)

- The system of ranks in class which results in the excessive and selfish competition, should be replaced by a system that encourages effort and promotes co-operation.

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Shri Manas Joardar, Article in the 'Telegraph', Calcutta dated 15th October, 1990

- The comment that 'examinations have tended to corrode the educational system by distorting the very purpose of education', seem to be a little hasty, more so when one considers the suggested alternatives of modularisation, semesterisation and internal assessment. The University of Calcutta discontinued the practice of internal assessment at the degree level a few years after its introduction because it formed too Insignificant a part of the total examination. To make arrangements for entrance test in lieu of public examinations is also a formidable task. Such a proposal cannot achieve any result unless quality education for all Is ensured.

The 'Times of India' New Delhi dated 14th September, 1990 (Current Topics)

- The concept of doing away with annual examination is likely to encounter resistance from parents and students who have over the years come to consider success in examinations as synonymous with merit and the passport to a good job.

Smt. Nirupama Mishra, Article in the 'Orissa Times' (daily) dated 4th November, 1990

- The suggestion to introduce modular courses and semester and credit system in the secondary schools will unduly burden the children with the continuous examination rather than serving any real developmental purpose.

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'The Hindustan Times', New Delhi dated 16th September, 1990 (Editorial)

- The Perspective Paper has rightly underlined the need for building up a system of comprehensive and continuous internal assessment. However, in the Indian context it would be unrealistic to completely delink degrees from jobs. It would lead to arbitrariness and favouritism in recruitment on one hand, and will continue to be discriminatory in favour of people with formal education, on the other.

Dr. Remy Y. Denis., Reader in Mathematics, Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur-273009

- The proposal to have decentralised management of education is a welcome one. However, it is to be ensured that such decentralised managements are free from nepotism and vested interest. There should be sufficient representation of the educationally and socially weak sections of the society in the management.

- The proposal to delink degrees from jobs should reduce the pressure on higher education.

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