Kolkata: Teaching hours at CU-affiliated colleges are likely to increase in the new year with the Syndicate, the university's highest decision-making body, on Wednesday approving a restructuring of the exam system.
The university will meet college principals shortly to discuss the matter and ensure at least 90 days of classes, as stipulated.
The proposal was raised at the last Syndicate meeting to improve the university's and affiliated institutes' educational standards. The Syndicate sought suggestions from the boards of studies of different faculties and, on Wednesday, unanimously decided to introduce reforms in semester exams to free up more class hours.
"Among the suggestions, holding exams for minor and major subjects within a specific time frame across colleges was widely accepted," said a Syndicate member. It will start with exams for minor subjects that will be held at home centres. The university will prepare the schedule and set question papers, while college teachers will evaluate answer scripts, simplifying the process.
Lady Brabourne College principal Siuli Sarkar, also a Syndicate member, said, "This is the most important step the university is taking now as students are suffering. Why do they need to take tuition?"
Another Syndicate member said, "Holding classes during vacations is not a solution as most colleges already do that to compensate for learning gaps. We need more physical classes, which is possible only through the exam system reform."
CU VC Asutosh Ghosh said, "We are keen on increasing class hours to attract more students to our UG courses across colleges. We need systematic reform of exams so that students can attend at least 90 days of classes. Before finalising anything, we will discuss it with college principals."
However, a problem persists with colleges conducting classes in the three shifts of morning, day and evening. During the exam season, students from the morning and evening shifts join the day shift to write their exams. An official said the university was considering how to have a uniform system for them as well.