HYDERABAD: Jumbling system in Intermediate practical examinations is not a practical option, feels the government, and therefore, its implementation may be deferred to the next academic year.
However, a final decision will be taken on Thursday after taking into consideration different arguments, the Minister for Secondary Education K. Pardhasarahi told The Hindu.
He said that though the jumbling system was good, there were lot of practical issues involved in it.
Students and colleges were worried over the quality of lab equipment in the selected colleges and whether the variation in the instruments will lead to difficulty in handling them.
Opposition
Private colleges opposing the jumbling system say that it is unfair to put students under pressure for just one per cent of the total marks, for which they are tested in the practical examinations.
Practical exams account for only 60 marks of the total 1,000 marks, which is six per cent of marks. Out of these six per cent, three per cent are allotted to the theory part in the practical examinations that can be verified and checked in case of any allegation.
In the remaining three per cent, where practical knowledge was tested, students get some marks for attempting the test itself. Some marks are given for the basic information provided about the given test.
“So the actual test is conducted for about 10 marks, which is just one per cent of the total Intermediate examinations. Is it fair to put students under so much pressure for just those few marks is the argument being raised by college managements,” the Minister said.
Mr. Pardhasaradhi also explained the problems that the government colleges will have to face.
With teachers being deputed for conducting practical exams, it would lead to loss of instruction.
“We have already lost several working days due to agitation and the absence of teachers will be felt during this crucial period,” he said.
At the same time, he agreed that jumbling had its advantages as colleges will take laboratory work more seriously.
He reminded that Intermediate teaching was taken seriously after 25 per cent weightage for EAMCET was introduced.
The Minister said that there were also suggestions like constituting teams of retired lecturers to oversee the laboratory work throughout the colleges during the academic period.
“We will examine it seriously to ensure students attend laboratory regularly as their exposure to practical knowledge was must for better understanding,” he said.
The Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) is keen on jumbling system as it would minimise malpractice and encourage laboratory work.
Refuting the criticism that it will be disadvantageous to some sections, the BIE Secretary, G. Balaramaiah has been arguing that failure percentage in practical exams is just 0.03 per cent while only 7.5 p.c. students score full marks.
“So no one is at advantage or disadvantage.”
Source: Hindu