Kannur exam goof-up: Kerala higher education in doldrums, says Governor

Days after graduation examination goof up in Kannur University, Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan said those responsible for the blunder will have to take responsibility.

The question papers of BSc Psychology third semester and ‘Neuro Biological Perspective’ were repeated in the examination that concluded on April 21 and 22.

As protests mounted in connection with the repetition of question papers of BSc Psychology third semester, Kannur University cancelled the examinations held on April 21 and 22.

Speaking at a function in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (April 24), the governor said, “The higher education sector in Kerala is in doldrums. This is a clear sign of incompetence. Somebody must take up the responsibility. What is the commission going to do about it?” Khan has been critical of the inquiry commission set up to  find out the truth. Khan said question papers can get repeated only because of the incompetence of the university officials. While Khan lauded the school-level education system of Kerala, he wasn’t so appreciative of the higher education system in the state. The governor said he will take action in the Kannur exam goof up case once he returns from Delhi.

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The repetition of question papers from the last exam was brought to the notice of university authorities by Kerala Students Union (KSU) and Muslim Students Federation (MSF). The two unions organised protest marches and meetings in connection with the repeated failures on the part of the examination wing of the university.

Amid protests from students and teachers, the university had to cancel the exam. University Vice-Chancellor Prof Gopinath Raveendran has sought a report on the blunder from the Controller of Examinations of Kannur University. Prof Raveendran promised action against those who are responsible for the mistake.

“It seems like a deliberate attempt on the part of the syndicate and higher officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, to create an impression that the existing examination system is a total failure,” stated the Kannur regional committee of Kerala Private College Teachers’ Association (KPCTA).