Varsity extends year by 12 days

Mumbai: The Board of Examination and Evaluation (BoEE) of the University of Mumbai (MU) has decided to extend the 2017-18 academic year by 12 days. The decision for the extension has been taken to complete all pending assessments and declare the remaining results along with rectifying and improving all the problems pertaining to the current academic year. Instead of April 30, being the last day of the academic year, May 12 will be the last day.

Generally, every academic year of MU ends by April 30, which is the last day of exams after which all the colleges affiliated to the varsity break for summer vacations. These 12 days will act like a 'buffer time' for the teachers as they are supposed to continue with the assessment work and finish it within the stipulated date.

MU sources confirm that they don't want to carry over all the issues and incomplete work to the next academic year. "The next academic year will be a fresh start for the university, hence these 12 days will give the staff and teachers additional time to complete the incomplete work," said a senior MU official. The pending work includes assessment of the winter examinations, ongoing final (summer) examinations and to clear all pending results. "Results should be declared within a period of 45 days, according to Maharashtra Public University Act, so we will try to do so for the ongoing examinations," the official said.

Principals have been asked to ensure that all the teachers are present and complete their assessment and evaluation of answer paper work before May 12.

A principal a Bandra-based college, who is also a part of BoEE said, "Though the idea is to clear the mess by giving it additional time, the teachers reaction is negative as many of them had plans for the summer vacations."

Ms Rajalakshmi Shribalan, a senior MU professor said, "If the MU is only thinking about completing the work and giving the students relief, the idea is good. But it would have been better for us (teachers) if they had come up with this idea earlier, like a month before, so we would have been prepared for this. Now, in the last moment, when all of them have their personal plans, we are obliged to follow MU's instructions and cancel all plans.”