Jammu University seems to have turned a blind eye towards the problems of B.Ed Colleges and has ordered certain amendments in the norms pertaining to exams, which are commencing from 20th of this month.

In the meeting, certain decisions regarding the forthcoming B.Ed examination taken by the JU authorities were narrated to the Principals without listening to the problems of the colleges. Mr. K.K Sawhney, Retired Professor, Distance Education Jammu University, who is presently working as a Principal in a private B.Ed College, when questioned that how a Principal can take any decision without the prior consideration of the chairman of the College, Mr Bhat replied that he don’t recognize Chairmen.

It may be mentioned here that the Chairman of the college is sole proprietor and a Principal is only an employee than how he can take any decision? Ostensibly, decisions taken by the JU authorities regarding examinations are not acceptable. The decisions which the controller read out to the Principals include shifting of exam centre ignoring its past practice of providing every college its own centre, students to download their admit cards from JU website which the colleges are strongly opposing for the genuine reasons.

While clarifying his decision of issuing online admit cards and interchanging of centres, Mr Bhat said that he has done so following complaints of mass copying and harassment to students by colleges while issuing admit cards. It may be recalled here that during last year mass copying was reported from various colleges and wherein a committee was constituted to submit its report on the subject. Subsequently, the committee constituted submitted its report wherein it recommended changing staff but not centres, sources within JU told Jammu Bulletin.

Sources further said that to hear the grievances and complaints is the sole responsibility of the Director, Colleges Development Council not the Controller Examination. Sources also said that the duty of the controller is to conduct exams smoothly and to check matters regarding copying. But Mr Bhat who bypassed everything went ahead in taking such a major decision ignoring those who run these colleges. On whose behest he did so only Mr Bhat can reply…!

Chairmen of certain colleges on the condition of anonymity told Jammu Bulletin that if the student will download their admit cards from JU website, then how the colleges will recover their pending dues as well as books worth lakhs which have been issued to the students from College Library…is a million dolor question? And further if any student is having shortage in attendance, where from Mr Bhat will take NOC…?

Interestingly, when some Principals raised this question, Controller examination said, “Give me the list before 10th of this month, I will return your books”. Well said Mr Controller but will you explain how you will collect these books from the students of almost 75 colleges some of who even belongs from states other than Jammu and Kashmir, management of various colleges questioned. They further told that it is very clearly mentioned on the Prospectus of every colleges that fee which Rs 22,500/- including mess charges will be collected in three installments whereas the students used to pay one or some of them only two installments before exams and colleges who cooperates with the students, collects the pending amount at the time if issuing their admit cards for the examination.

Now as most of the students who went to their homes following vacations if will download their admit cards from website, who will make payments to these colleges. Some Chairmen, while talking even went to the extent saying that if JU c an provide online admission cards then why it cannot provide online education and we will shutdown our colleges, they lamented. They said that why the authorities did not made these changes before vacation which was the right time to implement such decisions and that too with the prior consideration of the chairmen.

“Why don’t JU charge full and final payments from the students and give us our share and relieve us from the burden of collecting dues” various chairmen questioned.Many of the chairmen said that we will not provide our premises for the students of other colleges and JU will have to take responsibility where and how to conduct exams. They further urged upon the Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to intervene into the matter as the sitting Vice Chancellor has turned deaf and dumb.