Three teachers barred from exam duty for life

MU OFFICIALS ARE NOW PLANNING TO CONDUCT WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS WHO WILL BE SETTING PAPERS

MUMBAI: Three days after first year students of Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) received a question paper which was identical to the previous year’s paper of the same subject, the University of Mumbai (MU) barred three teachers from exam duty for the rest of their careers. This is the first such instance where such an action was taken against senior professors, who erred on duty.

On Thursday, when the first year BMS examination began, examinees appearing for the Introduction to Financial Accounts paper informed their professors that it was identical to last year’s question paper.

“We called the subject chairperson and by Friday we set up an inquiry committee. On Saturday, MU officials sat with the committee. We decided to implement the recommendations of the committee immediately,” said Vinod Malale, deputy registrar (public relations), MU.

An official from the Board of Examination and Evaluation, MU, said previously, teachers who have tried to use questions from previous years’ papers and submitted question papers with 40-50% similar questions have been reprimanded. “However, to see an identical paper was unacceptable,” said the official.

He added that the inquiry committee also highlighted the punishment had to be harsh as teachers who put together the question paper were experienced senior professors and were not participating in the examination process for the first time.

“University rules are very clear. Teachers are also reminded of their responsibility when they are sent letters, inviting them to set the paper. To have submitted a copy of a previous year’s question paper despite knowing the consequences is unpardonable.”