Edu min defends degree despite ‘0’ MCQ score

Nagpur: Minister for higher and technical education Uday Samant defended Nagpur University’s decision to award degrees to final year students even if they score a ‘zero’ in multiple choice question (MCQ) tests. The examinees had attended classes till March last week and also completed internals and practicals, he said.
TOI had on September 11 reported how even a ‘zero’ score in MCQ would ensure a degree for students. If they score 14/20 marks in their internal exams, which would be converted into 50%, and calculated along with MCQ test marks scored by the examinee.
Interacting with media after a review meeting with top NU officials, including vice-chancellor Subhash Chaudhari, Samant, however, clarified that government has not issued any instructions to universities to decide on their marking scheme, considering their autonomy.
Quoting Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, Board of Examination and Evaluation (BOEE) director Prafulla Sable said NU can’t have separate passing marks for theory and internals as per rules and, therefore, they will take both marks into consideration before awarding degrees.
Samant added that UGC had granted four options to conduct exams — including open book and taking papers at home. On whether recruiters would accept such graduates, who will be awarded degrees even with a zero score in MCQ, he said government would act if such candidates are discriminated.
“The mark sheet will reflect combined marks of internal and MCQ. We have given directives in this regard to universities,” he said, adding he still holds the opinion that exams should have been cancelled in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stressing that all exam-related decisions were taken in consultation with VCs’ panel, led by Mumbai University VC Suhas Pednekar, the minister said about 90-92% students were ready to appear for online papers.
“About 8-10% may not be able to appear due to natural disasters like floods or poor net connectivity. A provision of offline exams has been made for such students. Even supplementary exams would be held for failure students in 15 days. About 77,925 students, including failures, would appear in NU exams, which we can’t stretch beyond October 31,” he said, while applauding NU administration for their preparations.
CM to meet all-party netas on Maratha quota stay
Commenting on Supreme Court verdict on staying Maratha quota in jobs and admissions, Samant said chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has already conducted meetings with various organizations and he would soon be interacting with leaders of all parties, including his predecessor Devendra Fadnavis on the issue.
Samant, however, refused to speak on whether the government would bring an ordinance, as suggested by veteran leader Sharad Pawar, in this regard. “Entire picture on the apex court’s decision would be cleared within a week,” he said.
Samant speaks:
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