Mumbai colleges still unclear on paper patterns

Several teachers across the city have complained of being in the spot as the University of Mumbai is yet to come clear on several issues.

As per reports, some course heads under the Bachelors in Mass Media (BMM) and Bachelors in Management Studies (BMS) faculties are confused about the paper pattern, absence of clarity on the system of question banks for the examinations etc. This comes almost a week after Mumbai University (MU) had issued a circular listing the guidelines with regards to conducting the examinations.

According to the guidelines issued by MU last week, the undergraduate and postgraduate examinations for the traditional (arts, commerce, science) courses will constitute a 60-mark theory paper. This will include 50 marks of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), of which students could attempt 40. Each question will carry 1.5 marks. However, for professional courses, the examinations will include a combination of 40 marks of MCQs and 40 marks of descriptive-type questions, making up an 80-mark paper for each subject.

Meanwhile, MU had earlier issued guidelines with regards to the deployment of online software in view of the final-year examinations. The University of Mumbai, in its circular, had stated that there will be the use of proctoring or digital supervision, with or without a camera in order to conduct the examinations online. This deployment will be held across 750 affiliated colleges for 2.5 lakh students. Moreover, the circular mentions that the software can be accessed on laptops, desktops or mobile phones, keeping in mind the convenience of all students.

Even though the Maharashtra government is yet to take a decision regarding the reopening of campuses due to the pandemic, the university plans to conduct the examinations in the MCQ format like it was done in the month of October. Moreover, examinations for the final-year students will be decentralized and will be conducted at the college level this year.