Stir against 30-70 scheme stepped up

MUMBAI, Dec 17: Students of the Mumbai University have decided to step up their agitation against the varsity's decision to implement the p...

MUMBAI, Dec 17: Students of the Mumbai University have decided to step up their agitation against the varsity’s decision to implement the policy of internal assessment at the first year degree college level.

On December 16, the Academic Council of the university decided against either scrapping or suspending this 30-70 assessment system, despite protests by student groups. According to this scheme, first year degree college students will have to score a minimum of 20 per cent marks in the terminal examinations in order to be allowed to appear for the final exam in that subject. Those who cannot appear for terminal exams due to illness or otherwise will be directly disqualified from appearing in the finals.

An office bearer of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which had earlier sent a memorandum to vice-chancellor Snehalata Deshmukh requesting changes in the scheme, today said the students are unhappy with this decision. “Apart from other requests, we had asked the university to allow FY students to appear for the finals in case they fell sick during the terminals. Now, students will definitely protest if the scheme continues in its original format,” he said.

Story continues below this ad

Added Jennifer Coutinho, president of the Vidyarthi Pragati Sanghatana, students held an emergency meeting in Goregaon today. “A few days ago, we had demonstrated outside the varsity’s Fort campus and later handed over a memorandum to the pro-vice chancellor, who promised to forward our plea to the Academic Council. Now we will go ahead in full steam to press for the scrapping of the 30-70 ruling and safeguarding of the prevailing ATKT system,” said Jennifer. Informed the Principal of SIES College in Sion, V Padmanabhan, some of the aggrieved parties may even move court against the scheme.

Meanwhile, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) also held a meeting on Wednesday evening to decide the future course of action against the scheme. Commented Principal D B Kadam of Bhavan’s College (Andheri): “In my college, 17 students could not appear for the first term exams as they were unwell; in all, around 1,000 students from the 100-affiliated colleges stand to lose a year due to this new scheme.” The pro-vice chancellor Dr Naresh Chandra said the council’s decision was final and binding. “We have to stick to this decision even if students threaten to agitate,” he added.