Karnataka: No II PU papers, colleges plan screening test

BENGALURU: Degree colleges are figuring out how they will conduct admissions as the government plans to give grades to II PU students based on their first-year performance. While some top autonomous colleges and private universities are already using their own criteria for the process, other institutions were waiting for the results of exams, which were cancelled on Friday. The latter are now considering a screening test.
“We will ask for I PU marks. Apart from that, we plan to conduct our own screening test. With every student expected to be promoted, it will be difficult to ascertain the aptitudes of candidates,” said NMKRV principal Snehalata G.
Seshadripuram Degree College also plans to consider pre-boards marks. “Many students do not take I PU seriously. Their marks may not reflect their true potential. Therefore, we will introduce three columns — SSLC scores, I PU marks and II PU pre-boards if available,” said principal HN Meera.
Bhavani MR, the principal (UG) of Surana College, said every year, it offered scholarships to meritorious students. Though the II PU valuation method will change, it does not want candidates to miss out on opportunities. For this, it will conduct an entrance test for scholarships. She clarified the test wouldn’t be mandatory.
Bangalore University vice-chancellor KR Venugopal said colleges could strike a balance. “Top colleges that have a demand for seats will conduct a test. They can give weightage for PU marks and the test. Other colleges are likely to rely only on the board marks,” he said.
I PU thrust into prominence
That many students may have given less attention to I PU is a major concern. Teachers don’t want I PU scores alone to influence students’ assessment. “More than 80 per cent of students do not work hard in the first year. They prepare well in the second. Considering I PU marks alone will be disastrous,” said a college principal. The Dakshina Kannada PU College Lecturers’ Association suggests that the government consider 50 per cent marks from SSLC and the other half from I PU while assessing II PU students.
“For science students, II PU marks do not matter as they have various competitive exams to prove their merit. For arts and commerce students, the marks matter a lot in village accountant and police appointments. Many students do not perform well in I PU and work hard for II PU,” said HN Veerabhadrappa, the principal of Indu Independent PU College in Ballari.
Snehal R, the director of the PU education department, sought to ease concerns. “We are discussing multiple plans — I PU scores, I PU plus SSLC marks, I PU plus some grace marks. A decision will be made soon,” Snehal said.
Low marks can affect admission to courses like engineering. The CET considers II PU marks for eligibility. College officials said II PU papers should have been scheduled instead of SSLC ones. “When the government can conduct exams for 8.7 lakh SSLC students, why not for II PU candidates, whose numbers are lower?” said BR Supreet, secretary, Oxford institutions, Ullal.