GU indifference can mar exam conduct

In a blatant display of indifference, the Gujarat University is still undecided on key issue of the final examinations, which begin from April 18. Ninety five per cent of paper-setting work remains unfinished and the administration is yet to take final decision on shifting the centres from communally sensitive areas. The issue of making adequate security arrangements at examination centres also hangs in the air.

GU vice-chancellor Naresh Ved alleged, "Organised attempt is going on in the university to sabotage exams as 'many people' are not cooperating in the examination related work in spite of Essential Services Maintenance Act."

Sources in the university said that around 95 per cent work pertaining to examination department is pending, as paper setters have shown inability inspite of their appointments.

It will be difficult to print the examination papers with just six days to go, the sources added.

The sources further said deans of some of the faculties are not cooperating in the examination work by not attending the meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday for replacement of paper setters.

Deans of three faculties - Narhari Parikh of Arts, D.M. Sikh of Commerce and J.N. Pandya of Education - are totally indifferent despite the order of Governor Sundar Singh Bhandari who is also chancellor of the university, the sources added. "So it is still unclear on who will set the examination papers," the sources added.

The issue of shifting the centres from which is considered to be very important after communal riots is yet to be dealt. The university sources said the administration is still undecided on the issue of changing of the centres from communally sensitive areas of the city. It is learnt that the university is still searching for vacant colleges in the relatively safer areas.

Secretary of the principals' association of city colleges, C.S. Choksi said they have demanded that centres from very sensitive areas of city should be changed to relatively peaceful areas. These include centres in Jamalpur, Kalupur and other in Walled City areas, he added.

Mr. Choksi said the students would fear to venture out in these highly sensitive areas of the city. This is a genuine demand and the GU should take some decision about it, he added.

Meanwhile, the colleges are still in dark about the security arrangements made by the GU with the police.

The situation has created anxiety among students. Students' leader Mihir Shah said the students are in a soup due to indecisive attitude of the university administration.

They are not aware what would be the next step of the university. However, Mr. Ved has indicated firm resolve to take examination from April 18. He maintained, "They will conduct the exams as per the schedule."

Mr. Ved said he has written a strong worded letter to the dean of three faculties who remained absent in the meeting organised on Thursday.

He has also reported of their actions to the higher education secretary as the state government has imposed Esma in all the universities of the state for peaceful conduct of exams. He showed confidence that all arrangements will be done by April 18.

Republished from The Asian Age