EDUCATION

Panel for reforms in PU exam system
Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 18
The existing examination system of Panjab University is obsolete and lacks continuous evaluation at different levels of education which encourages copying in the final examination with a view to getting through, using any means: ‘fair or unfair’.

This is one of the ‘major reasons identified by a committee constituted to identify reasons for copying and use of other unfair means at various examination centres.’

The committee pointed out that there is a tendency on the part of some teachers to avoid or shirk responsibility pertaining to invigilation or supervisory duty. There is general laxity on the part of all concerned, including invigilators, superintendents and members of the flying squad to check incidents of copying and use of other unfair means.

The committee has observed that books, notebooks and other notes and papers are allowed to be placed inside the examination halls. This also often tempts the students to indulge in copying. The procedure for dealing with the Unfair Means Cases (UMCs) at the examination centre is quite complex as it involves the task of filling up a number of forms and completing other formalities which the flying squads find inconvenient. “ As a result they generally avoid to book the UMC cases”, it has been observed.

The traditional examination system, especially the style and pattern of the question paper encourages the students to indulge in copying and use other unfair means in the examination, the committee has pointed out. It has also been said that there has been a general lack of awareness amongst the students and parents about the consequences of copying and the use of other unfair means.

The committee said ‘ the areas like toilets, verandahs and open windows which were more prone for storing items of copying were generally overlooked by the supervisory staff. At present, there is no monitoring cell either at the university office or at the respective colleges which can monitor the day to day progress of the conduct of examination with a view to check the menace of copying.

Recommending changes, the committee said the supervisory duties must be performed by teachers only and not by the non-teaching staff, except incase of emergency. Incase, a college was unable to provide necessary strength of teachers the centre may be shifted to the nearest college from the next academic session.

It is felt that supervisory duty in the examinations should be made compulsory for all teachers regardless of their rank or seniority. Refusal to discharge duty or wilful absence from duty will be entered in the service records of the teacher. Examination duty should be considered part and parcel of normal duties.

The committee feels that the examination system should be reformed comprehensively. Continuous evaluation system should be introduced. The procedure of dealing with Unfair Means Cases should be simplified.

A senior teacher said the committee has recommended at least 22 reforms; however, the effectiveness of the same will depend on the implementation of the recommendations.

Students apprised of police role
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 18
A youth contact programme under the aegis of the youth liaison unit of the Chandigarh police was conducted on the “Role of the Chandigarh Police in Reconstructing the Social Fibre” at Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, here today.

In his presentation, Mr HGS Dhaliwal, SP (Operations), focussed on various initiatives that the Chandigarh Police has undertaken in contribution to the reconstruction to the social fibre.

Emphasising on the Crime Branch Operations Cell, Economic Offences Wing, Special Juvenile Police Unit and Women and Child Helpline, he highlighted the working of the helpline which tries to solve issues related to marital discord and child abuse with the help of counsellors.

Commenting on the responsibilities of teachers, Mr Dhaliwal said they have an important role to play in making students aware of various social issues, inducing a positive attitude to become committed citizens.

The Principal of the college, Dr (Ms) Satinder Dhillon, appreciated the various community policing endeavours to increase police-public interface. She initiated a pledge on behalf of the faculty and students to work towards making the city a better place.

NIIFT students’ talent on display
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, September 18
An in-house presentation of garments was arranged at the Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) here today.

The presentation was made by 25 students of one-year certificate course in fashion designing. The presentation also marked the culmination of the course.

Mr T.R. Sarangal, Executive Director, NIIFT, was the chief guest on the occasion. There was a five-member jury, including the Director of the institute, Ms Vijay Sharma.

Ms Sharma said the certificate course had been introduced last year for those who were keen to learn some designing skills. In the presentation today the students exhibited the skills they had learnt in the course.

Mr Arun Benjamin, course co-ordinator, said the course had been planned in such a way so that the students could go in for self-employment. Most of the collections prepared by them were very practical and could be worn in Chandigarh and adjoining areas.

He said the presentation was the summary of the entire course and each student would be presenting five to seven garments. Girls from the institute have been taken to present the garments.

He said the course was being run in the evening for the convenience of students. Two housewives, one from the town and the other from Parwanoo, were among the students who were passing out today. Some of the other students had done course in textile designing but that was not enough to start a project. They had to go in for garment designing in order to establish themselves in the market.

AIESEC holds seminar
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 18
The local chapter of the AIESEC, a student managed world’s largest exchange-based organisation, organised a seminar at the University Business School Hall at Panjab University here today.

The agenda began with an AIESEC presentation which gave the students an insight into the AIESEC’s history values and other missions. This was followed by presentations informing students about kinds of opportunities available to them through the AIESEC. 

COURTS

DISTRICT COURTS
Rape case: hearing of bail pleas today
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 18
A bail application moved by the three suspects in rape case of a Shimla-based girl will come-up for hearing tomorrow in the court of UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr Balbir Singh. The suspect, M.K Jain, and the victim girl in the case had moved anticipatory bail pleas. Meanwhile, Surinder Sharma, Ram Lal and Baldev had filed regular bail pleas in the case.

The victim had stated in her plea that she had sought the bail in order to avoid undue harassment as the UT police had threatened to arrest her in the case if she dared to level allegations against the main suspect.

The suspect, Ram Lal, stated in his plea that his anticipatory bail application was pending for September 19, 2002 before the court the UT Additional and Sessions Judge and had become infructuous on his arrest on September 11. The application of M.K. Jain is also pending for September 19 before the same court. He stated that the version of the UT police should be accepted then only he could be booked under bailable offences.

Bail granted: Two persons, Amit and Jaideep who had been arrested by the UT police under the Arms Act were today granted bail by a local court. The UT police had arrested the two alongwith others after getting the secret information that they had been planning to eliminate a girl.

Convicted: A city resident, Yoginder, arrested by the UT police in an eve-teasing case was today convicted and released on six months probation by a local court. He was released on furnishing a bond of surety amount of Rs 5,000. The court had also imposed a fine of Rs 200. The UT police had arrested the accused from near government school, Mani Majra on August 28, 2002.

Surrenders: A student of Panjab University, Devinder, today surrendered in a local court in a case attempt to murder registered against him following a group clash between the two students organisations of the university. He was remanded in judicial custody by a local court.

Beant Singh assassination case: The statements of two persons were recorded in the Beant Singh assassination case in a special courtroom before the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, in model Burail Jail. The witness, Goldi Gupta owner of the Surya Hotel in Daria Ganj, New Delhi, stated that CBI official Mr Kaul had visited his office and after investigation he had taken entry register along with him. The CBI official stated that one of the accused in the case who had been declared a proclaimed offender had stayed in the hotel.

The statement of the Constable with UT police, Mr Surinder Kumar, has also been recorded in the case. He made a statement before the judge that he had prepared the report regarding the deceased, Dhanwant Singh, who had died in the bomb blast and later a post-mortem too was conducted. The witness added that he had submitted the report in this regard to then in charge of the Police Station, Sector-3.

Harbhagwan Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 18
Mr Harbhagwan Singh, Advocate-General of Punjab, has been elected Chairman of the All-India Advocates-General Conference. His election took place in New Delhi yesterday. He replaces the Advocate-General of Andhra Pradesh.

According to a press note issued by the Punjab AG’s office, the AGs of 15 states attended the meeting where it was decided to hold regular interactions, at least twice a year, to discuss various issues and problems faced by the AGs. It was decided that the next meeting of the conference should be held in Chandigarh early next year.

Exploring conflicts of mind
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 18
The impact of changed times on the upper middle-class women, in particular, who are finding their ways of life in the urban settings of contemporary India was central to “Uske hothon ka chhup,” staged at Tagore Theatre here this evening.

The play directed by Faizal Alkazi has been authored by Dr Kusum Ansal, who has authored of more than 20 books. The script has intense drama of inner conflicts. Kiran Sharma in the lead role of ‘Nazam’ has done a commendable role at portraying someone who “sees and understands” the truths of life in all changed forms and times.

The play has explored the life of the upper middle class, which is far removed from its roots. The originality of the roots has vanished and a culture of false values has emerged for them.

Kaisar Jamal in the role of Irfan and Vidhu Khare as Nandini gave good performances. The play is a production of the Ruchika Theatre Group, which was established in 1972. The thrust area of exploration that this group largely undertakes is the current social settings.

The final execution needed a little brushing up on account of dialogue delivery and stage movements. Nevertheless, the stage designing deserves a special mention for accommodating a wide range of required stage settings.