Mumbai: The Bombay University College Teachers’ Union (BUCTU) on Thursday submitted a petition signed by 12,000 students to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, asking him to take note of the difficulties faced by teachers and students.
The petition mentions problems caused by exam pattern and syllabus changes, mismanagement of the examination system, and lack of adequate teaching and learning days in the last academic year. It says, “The university revised its syllabus and examination patterns for our streams, but the changed syllabus, examination pattern and text books were not made known till mid-semester. As a result, our performance in examinations was badly affected.”
BUCTU general secretary Madhu Paranjape said that this was just the first lot of signatures. “When students are back from summer vacation in June, we will collect more signatures. Member teachers of the union will speak to students to collect them,” she said.
Mohammed Tahir, professor at Akbar Peerbhoy College, said that mismanagement of exams and sudden syllabus changes are really affecting students.
The petition says that the course structure of all three years, including elective and core subjects, should be decided at the start of the course, so that students can make informed choices without the syllabus being revised or released late.
“Examination management should be proper, results should be declared on time, and mistakes in mark lists and hall tickets should be strictly avoided,” the appeal says, adding that delayed announcement of third-year results affected students’ ability to apply for postgraduate courses and jobs, and hall tickets were available only a day before exams and had incorrect information.
The petition also demands 180 days of teaching as per University Grants Commission guidelines.
“We have received the appeal. It will be placed before the Board of Studies, and the Vice-Chancellor has been apprised. The proper analysis of it will be carried out,” said M. A. Khan, Registrar of the University.
