Only 300 out of 1,017 students pass MEd exam

Vikas Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 9

The recent declaration of the result of the first semester of the Master of Education (MEd) course of 2014-15 session through the distance learning mode at the University of Jammu has left students shocked.

Out of 1,017 students who appeared in the examination, only 300 students qualified the exam with total pass percentage standing at a meagre 30 per cent. Sources said out of 717 students, who failed or got reappear, around 100 students got zero mark and that, too, in the scoring subject of statistics (methods of data analysis in education).

There are five subjects being taught in MEd at JU. These are philosophical foundations of education (Ed 20), psychological foundation of education (Ed 21), methods of data analysis in education (Ed 22), methodology of educational research (Ed 23) and comparative education and curriculum (Ed 24).

The aggrieved students are blaming the alleged faulty evaluation system of the varsity. “It is impossible to believe the result declared by the JU, which clearly shows the lack of seriousness during evaluation of papers of students, who toiled hard to prepare for exams,” a girl student said. “What is more surprising is that the students got zero mark in statistics, which is unbelievable. If a student leave the answer sheet blank, even then he/she at least get some grace marks from the evaluator, but this time it is a complete mockery of the paper checking system of JU,” she added.

“Now the students have no option but to apply for re-evaluation, which again is a costly process as the fee for a single subject is Rs 550. If a student has failed in four subjects, he has to deposit a fee of Rs 2,200 along with examination fee of Rs 750,” said another student Rahil.

The result has not only shocked the students, but also the MEd programme coordinator Assistant Prof Jaspal. “Ever since the programme has been launched in the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) in 1996 this is the worst-ever result declared,” claimed Prof Jaspal.

When contacted, Sanjeev Mahajan, Controller of Examinations, JU, said, “Yes, the result is really bad, but it is wrong on the part of students to blame the evaluators. The students who are not satisfied with the marking are free to apply for re-evaluation.”