Negligence in Kerala University examination process  

Kerala University is facing criticism over the way it conducts examinations. An incident has revealed carelessness in examination management. The university has been accused of hiding the loss of answer sheets of 71 MBA students and delaying the announcement of results indefinitely, even after a teacher informed them that the answer sheets from a third-semester exam were lost during a bike ride. This raises questions about the institution's integrity and responsibility.

Students had to repeatedly approach the university before it included the issue in its syndicate's agenda for action. While this is not the first time answer sheets have been lost, the examination department's response has been poor, as no action has been taken for two months. Students are suffering from the delay. There are plans to address the issue by using the average marks obtained in other subjects instead of conducting a re-examination, which has garnered support from students. Nevertheless, the university must find an effective solution quickly. The incident highlights lapses in delivering answer sheets to examiners and retrieving them.

The PSC also faces embarrassment due to a serious error in a departmental examination for promotion. It issued answer keys instead of question papers, leading to the cancellation of the exam. The PSC cancelled the examination conducted for the promotion to the post of superintendent for surveyors after giving answer sheets instead of question papers. This problem should be solved by conducting a re-examination soon. Otherwise, it will adversely affect the employees who have been waiting for promotion for years. Similarly, how this lapse happened should be examined in detail and strong action should be taken against those who made mistakes.

Conducting examinations properly are crucial for maintaining the credibility of universities and PSCs. Both institutions should ensure examinations are conducted flawlessly. Despite efforts, errors like spelling mistakes often happen. However, the Plus Two Malayalam question paper had an alarming number of spelling mistakes recently. It is not enough to just charge a high salary, the concerned should also have a duty to do justice to it. Such negligence shown in the conduct of the exam is destroying the future of so many people.