Kozhikode: Grave irregularities and credibility concerns have surfaced in the revaluation system of Calicut University (CU), with the controller of examinations (CoE) informing the vice-chancellor (VC) that in some instances students, who secured zero marks in the original exam, passed after revaluation. Taking cognisance of the issue, the VC constituted a three-member panel to examine the matter and submit a comprehensive fact-finding report with recommendations to revamp the revaluation process.
In a note placed before the syndicate, VC P Raveendran said he had sought a report from the CoE after certain issues related to the revaluation process in Pareeksha Bhavan came to his attention. The VC said in the note that the CoE had submitted a report stating that in many cases, revaluation marks showed a disproportionately high increase compared to the original valuation and that some candidates, who scored zero in the original exam, passed after revaluation.
Officials obtained data from Pareeksha Bhavan on all revaluation cases where the increase in marks exceeded 10% of the total marks. The analysis identified several cases that require detailed scrutiny and corrective measures to prevent recurrence, said the VC.
As per current procedure, if the difference between the initial valuation and revaluation exceeds 30%, authorities send the answer script for a second revaluation and award the student the average of the two revaluations. However, the CoE's report said that this method lacks reliability.
"Further, special valuation conducted by the chairperson, board of examiners, in certain cases affirmed that such candidates should have failed. These instances raise serious concerns regarding the credibility of the exam system and call for immediate remedial measures," said the report. It added that despite CU's procedural safeguards, in several cases revaluation resulted in a disproportionately high increase in marks compared to the original valuation.
The CoE recommended that the university reintroduce a minimum variation threshold of 5% of the total marks for revising scores after revaluation. The CoE also suggested reducing the present 30% threshold for triggering a second revaluation to 20% of the total marks. The CoE maintained that the observations indicate the issue does not stem from procedural flaws but from the academic judgment exercised during revaluation.
He said examiners often adopt a liberal approach during revaluation, which leads to an increase in marks. "The current revaluation system followed by Pareeksha Bhavan is administratively secure, systematic and transparent. The anomalies observed in revaluation outcomes indicate that the issue lies in the practices adopted by the examiners during revaluation," said the CoE's report.
University sources said the abnormal increase in marks in certain cases may not stem solely from differences in academic judgement and added that authorities cannot rule out the possibility of foul play. "We suspect a racket could be exploiting the revaluation process to help ineligible students get high marks. There is a strong possibility of foul play, including tampering," alleged CU syndicate member Rasheed Ahammed.
Rajeev K R is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India w...
Read MoreRajeev K R is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India with over two decades of experience in journalism. He has been covering Malabar districts for TOI. He writes of a range of subjects including politics, environment, education etc. He holds a Master's degree in Journalism from University of Calicut. Rajeev had worked with The New Indian Express and served as Information Officer at the Ruler's Court in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE before joining Times of India.
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