Mumbai University warns professors to assess papers or face action

The Mumbai University is struggling to meet the deadline given by the Governor to declare results. In a new diktat by the varsity, action will be taken against professors failing to report to assessment duty, and not assessing minimum 30 papers a day. This action can vary from demanding an explanation, to de-affiliation from the varsity.

The varsity's delayed examination results have become a much discussed topic. The Governor of Maharashtra, in his capacity as Chancellor to all state universities, took cognisance of repeated complaints by students, and gave a deadline of July 31 to the Vice Chancellor of the Mumbai University to declare all results. Even as 15 days remain for the deadline, not even one of the 400 examination's result has been declared.

Struggling to meet the deadline, varsity has issued a letter to all teachers and colleges regarding assessment duty.

Dr M A Khan, registrar of the Mumbai University, said, "We understand that teachers are having difficulties due to technical issues but that does not mean they do not report for duty. In fact, we need more teachers to enable the varsity meet the deadline, as it is a matter of academics and the careers of several students. It is expected that each teacher assess answer-papers of a given number every day. Even colleges have to ensure that number of teachers in proportion to the number of students who gave exams from their college report to assessment duty. If they fail to do so, action will be taken against professors and the colleges."

But this letter has angered several teachers. "When it comes to giving approval as teachers, the university shows us the rule-book, and now they are holding teachers responsible, irrespective of whether they are varsity approved or not," said a teacher from a college in Dadar.