Karnataka colleges plan screening test after scrapping of II PU papers

Bengaluru: Degree colleges are in a fix as to how they will conduct admissions given the government’s plan to give grades to II PU students based on their first-year performance. Though some autonomous colleges and private universities are already using their criteria for the process, other institutions were waiting for the result of the exams, which were cancelled on Friday. The latter is now considering a screening test.

Snehalata G, principal of NMKRV said, “We will ask for I PU marks. Apart from that, we plan to conduct our own screening test. With every student expected to be promoted, it will be difficult to ascertain the attitudes of candidates.”

Seshadripuram Degree College also plans to consider pre-board marks. Principal HN Meera said, “Many students do not take I PU seriously. Their marks may not reflect their true potential. Therefore, we will introduce three columns – SSLC scores, I PU marks and II PU pre boards if available.”

Bhavani MR, the principal (UG) of Surana College, said every year, it offered scholarships to meritorious students. Though the II PU valuation method will change, it does not want the candidates to miss out on the opportunities. She further added that for scholarships non – mandatory tests will be held.

Bangalore University vice-chancellor KR Venugopal said colleges could strike a balance. “Top colleges that have a demand for seats will conduct a test. They can give weightage for PU marks and the test. Other colleges are likely to rely on the board marks”, he said.

A major concern is that many students have given less attention to I PU. Teachers are not in favour of taking into consideration the marks of I PU alone for assessment. A college principal said, “More than 80 per cent of students do not work hard in the first year. They prepare well in the second. Considering I PU marks alone will be disastrous.” The Dakshina Kannada PU College Lecturers’ Association suggests that the government consider half of the marks from SSLC and the other half from I PU while assessing II PU students.

HN Veerabhadrappa, the principal of Indu Independent PU College in Ballari, said, “For science students, II PU marks do not matter as they may have various competitive exams to prove their merit. For arts and commerce students, the marks matter a lot in village accountant and police appointments. Many studies do not perform well in I PU and work hard for II PU.”

Snehal R, the director of the PU education department said, “We are discussing multiple plans such as I PU scores, I PU plus SSLC marks, I PU plus some grace marks. A decision will be made soon.”

Low marks can affect the admission process in engineering. The CET considers II PU marks for eligibility. College officials are of the view that II PU exams should have been scheduled instead of SSLC exams. BR Supreet, secretary Oxford Institutions, Ullal, said, “When the government can conduct exams for 8.7 lakh SSLC students, why not for II PU candidates, whose numbers are lower?”.