Sonepat, February 13
In order to ensure maximum attendance of the students of the colleges in their classes, the Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, has introduced the internal assessment system in the degree classes of the colleges affiliated with the university.

In a letter to the college authorities, the university has informed that a meeting of the academic council of the university was held on November 5 last in which the council recommended that 10 per cent of the total marks of the annual examination of the degree class be given to the students under the internal assessment system and the system should be introduced from the next year’s academic session.

The letter, written by the Deputy Secretary of the academic wing of the university, has explained that 10 per cent marks are to be divided in two categories—five per cent for internal examinations and five per cent on the basis of the attendance of the student in the classes..

It has also been clarified that the percentage of the attendance marks is to be divided into five categories—one per cent marks for 56 to 65 per cent attendance, two per cent for 66 to 75 per cent attendance, three per cent for 76 to 80 per cent, four per cent for 81 to 85 per cent and five per cent marks for the attendance of more than 85 per cent.

The introduction of the system has evoked mixed response. Though the teachers and principals of the colleges have appreciated the new step, the students have opposed it.

The principals Dr Shamin Sharma of Hindu Girls College, Dr Kamlesh Malik of Tika Ram Girls College and Jyoti Juneja of Gita Vidya Mandir Girls College opined that it was a praiseworthy step as it would make the student serious about their attendance and internal examinations before appearing in the final examination. “However, the new system has brought great responsibility on the shoulders of the teachers as they will be required to be impartial in their dealings, Dr Shamim Sharma remarked.