Get model answer keys, reveals RTI

University of Mumbai teachers do not have a model answer key to consult while assessing papers, showed a response to a Right to Information (RTI) query.

This may have led to a number of students being wrongly marked over the years, said the RTI applicant, Vihar Durve.

In March this year, HT reported that of the 2.19 lakh students who had applied for rechecking of answer papers between 2014 and 2016, almost 73,000 students, or 30%, were declared passed.

“There needs to be uniformity while assessing papers because two examiners will not have a similar opinion about a question, especially in theory subjects,” added Durve.

In its reply to Durve’s application, the university said it did not share a common model answer book with examiners even though it was mandatory according to the law.

However, the varsity mentioned in the reply that giving model answer papers to examiners and moderators was “not compulsory”.

It also said it regularly called the chairperson of a subject to decide on a model answer paper.

“In subjects with large number of students, we do provide model answers. In subjects with small student participation, there’s no need of such format as model answers are discussed with examiners by the chairperson of a subject,” said MA Khan, MU registrar.