Uniform exam date for Plus III

Saturday, October 01, 2011

BHUBANESWAR: The Plus III degree examinations will be held on fixed dates in non-autonomous colleges from the current academic session. The government notification on Friday stated that the third year degree examination will be held on March 2, 2012, while second year and first year examinations are scheduled for March 22 and April 12 respectively. "The examinations must be over before the summer vacations every year. We have published the schedule for the current academic session," director of higher education Bimal Nanda told TOI. Nanda said the department will ensure uniform academic calendar for all colleges. "While the question pattern will also be similar, the department has been working to ensure uniform syllabi over the years," he said. The government has been taking steps so that the non-autonomous colleges also gradually shift to semester systems like the autonomous colleges. After that the government will ensure that semester systems in all colleges are held on fixed pre-decided dates, the director of higher education said. Also contrary to previous years, colleges irrespective of their affiliation to any university, will have summer vacation from May 9 to June 16 in 2012. While the colleges will be closed for puja holidays from October 3 to October 12 this year, cultural activities, sports, annual function of students' union and different societies will be held between January 9 and January 21, the government notice said. The higher education department has debarred colleges from keeping vacation towards the end of the year. "Generally, colleges accumulate reserve holidays and ensure longer vacations in December. This will not be allowed this time," Nanda said, adding maximum number of reserve holidays has been restricted to two. Period of holidays have been limited to 72 days, excluding Sundays. "We will ensure that classes are held regularly on all working days without fail and will strictly enforce 75 per cent attendance of students from the current academic session as pre-condition to appear in examinations," said Nanda. Earlier on August 25, the higher education department had asked the colleges to ensure classes by deputing guest faculties in case of shortage of teachers. It also asked the colleges to re-work on time table so that no scheduled class goes without teaching.