Digital evaluation in Kuvempu University: Principals of four colleges write to Registrar of Evaluation seeking review of results

The principals of four degree colleges have written to the Registrar of Evaluation (RE) of Kuvempu University seeking the review of results of the semester examination, declared recently, after digital evaluation of answer scripts.

Following allegations of discrepancies in the results from students, the principals of Sahyadri Arts College, DVS Evening College, DVS Arts and Commerce College, and Indira Gandhi First Grade College in Sagar wrote to the RE, Prof. R. Thimmarayappa, conveying students’ apprehensions. They requested the officer to check if there were any mistakes while entering the marks on the Unified University and College Management System (UUCMS), besides erratic evaluation.

Mr. Thimmarayappa on Thursday told The Hindu that he personally verified the claims of two colleges. “I checked the actual marks secured by each student and the score entered on the UUCMS. I did not find any discrepancy. Soon, I will be verifying the claims of the other two colleges as well,” he stated. However, he could not comment on the erratic evaluation. “I have no authority to comment on the evaluation. If there are applications seeking re-evaluation, we will get the papers evaluated by the competent panel,” the officer said.

In fact, the RE had conveyed to the principals that students who were unhappy with the results should apply for revaluation. “We will get the revaluation done by experts. If discrepancies are found, we will blacklist the evaluators responsible. Besides that, we will conduct revaluations of the relevant subject papers for all unhappy students free of cost,” Mr. Thimmarayappa said. Further, the officer maintained that of a total of 82 colleges, only four complained of discrepancies.

The university introduced digital evaluation in the last semester examination. Teachers could access answer scripts online and assign scores. During the last examination, the teachers (evaluators) were allowed to log in from the place of their convenience and do the evaluation process. Many teachers reportedly accessed answer scripts on their mobile phones too.

When the results were declared last month, many students were shocked. They complained to their college heads that there were discrepancies. Both students and some principals felt that the digital evaluation was not done effectively. The issue came up for discussion during the university’s academic council meeting. Meanwhile, a delegation of office-bearers from the National Students’ Union of India submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sharath Ananthamurthy and the RE complaining about discrepancies.

Following these developments, the RE has decided to hold a meeting with all stakeholders within a few days. “I will invite all stakeholders, including the principals. They should attend the meeting and put forth their complaints regarding the digital evaluation. We will take their opinions into account and work towards improving the system,” he added.