Semester system takes toll on students pursuing graduation

Srinagar: The continuation of semester system of exams for undergraduate courses in Kashmir University (KU) affiliated colleges has proven costly for the students.
Reports said the practice has resulted in delayed exams, declaration of results and subsequently extends the three year under-graduate course for more than four years.
For instance, the batch of students enrolled in colleges in 2016 was supposed to complete their degree in 2018 but the students are yet to appear in their 5th and 6th semester exams, which has raised apprehensions of further delay in the completion of the degree.
The semester system of examination for under graduate courses was introduced in 2015 by Kashmir University (KU) which replaced the annual examination system. The system was adopted by the varsity on guidelines of University Grants Commission (UGC) and was aimed at improving quality of education.
“But the new system proved costly for us as it stretched completion of courses given the delayed examination and announcement of results,” a group of students said.
The students also complained about the flawed evaluation under the new system of examination wherein the performance of the students has gone down over the past years. “From 1st semester to 4th semester, students have backlog in some of the subjects which adds burden on us,” said a group of aggrieved students.
The students have been declared as failed in most of the subjects in 3rd semester result of which was declared few days ago. The students have been shown re-appear in Chemistry and Botany subject. “The KU authorities should reveal the answer Key on basis of which our OMR sheets have been evaluated,” said the students, adding that evaluation of descriptive portion was flawed as well.
Under the semester system, the backlog exams of students are also delayed given the paucity of time in an academic year. “This year we are enrolled in 5th semester but these days were appearing in backlog exams of 2nd semester.
After this students have to clear backlog exams of 3rd semester subjects as well,” the students said. The students had appeared in the 3rd semester exams in 2017 and the result was declared after passage of more than one year.
Notably, the KU authorities have decided to conduct the combined 5th and 6th semester exams in August this year to enable students to complete their graduation within this year. “But we are still clearing our semester wise backlog subjects. Earlier, we use to appear in one exam but now we have to appear in two exams which is a burden,” the students said.
Controller exams Prof Farooq Ahmad said the varsity is hopeful of completing all the backlog exams and combined 5th and 6th semester exams on time so that eligible students will appear in the entrance test for the Post graduation courses.