The announcement of various semesters results under the Manipur University, Imphal, on 18 August raised an eyebrow regarding the evaluation system when many students of Rayburn College in Churachandpur district were rewarded a single digit marks or 'no marks' allotted to them in their marksheets, the result of which was available in the University's website.
Amidst the ongoing the ethnic violence in the state since the 3rd of May, 2023, many have felt that tribals were subjugated even in the field of education.
As per the results displayed in the University website, later to be taken down amidst intense flak from all quarters, the total number of candidates appearing in Psychology subject was 76 (33 Male and 43 Female), out of which 10 students cleared the examination (2 Male and 8 Female), averaging a pass percentage of a mere 13.16%. It may be noted here that Rayburn College is the only Institute affiliated under Manipur University to have Psychology subject as one of its Honours Paper.
The discrepancy caused by the Manipur University authority has become a matter of serious concern as some students were awarded a single digit mark in their marksheet when Psychology is a subject with practical paper. The practical examination carries 25 marks, and even an average student is expected to get two digit marks in the practical test.
A 6th semester student from Rayburn College remarked that if the practical paper carries 25 marks, it is an absurd that a student could get a single digit mark in total. "How can a student score a single digit mark in all total score of marks (Practical+ Theory) in an examination?," he asked.
Another discrepancies have also been detected in the evaluation process of 2nd and 4th Semester examination. Some students have been awarded "no marks" in Major Indian Language (MIL) Papers, that make them failed their semester examination. Putting the credibility of a central university like MU in doubt, many students have wondered how could they get 'no mark' in their own language paper.
The results have created a storm in the social media platforms as some of the score cards went viral on social media. Many have alleged that the Manipur University was doing it deliberately to subjugate the tribals even in their educational career. Among the 10 students who have cleared the 5th semester examination in Psychology, 5 was a Meitei and the other was a tribal student. There have also been various allegation that the University authority have deliberately let to pass the Meitei students and fail the tribal students.
In this regard, the Rayburn College has issued a clarification on Tuesday stating that 10 out of 76 students cleared their 5th semester examination in Psychology paper; numerous students from Rayburn College have received "Zero/No Marks" in their 2nd and 4th Semester Examinations, 2022 in different subjects were true; and it was not true that 10 students clearing their 5th Semester examination in Psychology and the 5 students clearing their 4th Semester examination 2022 in Zoology belonged to a Meitei community, rather, they belonged to the Zo ethnic tribes.
When contacted by The Hills Journal, the Vice-Principal of Rayburn College said that he was surprised by the results as to why many of his students were deliberately given 'Zero/No Marks' in their marksheets.
"The authority of Manipur University has contacted me and said that a corrigendum in this regard will be issued within one hour. However, the damage has been done and this is an injustice to our student community and the irresponsible nature of MU Authority has shed a bad image for the University," he said.
The vice-principal also said that the College authority has today convened an emergency meeting with all the faculty members and departmental heads to assess about the discrimination meted out to them by the MU authority, and that they would address to all the concerned authorities to register their grievances in that matter.
Accordingly, the revised result was issued today by the MU authority, wherein 31 more students cleared the 5th semester examination in Psychology taking a pass percentage to 53.95%.
Students of the college were disheartened on knowing the marks they received. They demanded a clarification from the university and reevaluation of their marks.
Speaking to the media, a student of Psychology department Sumsuanmung said many of the students who were sure enough to pass the exam failed in the exam with some of them receiving marks like 0, 7, 12, 13 and so on.
Saying that the marks secured in practical and theory were being combined in the examination and the practical mark itself carries 25 marks, the student questioned the authority concerned as to where has the marks scored in practical exams been gone away. He also said that a student being allotted seven marks for both the practical and theory combined was unthinkable.
Another student of the same department, Lalthuamson Suantak said the results are disappointing since many students who have scored and performed well in the previous semester exams were allotted single digit mark. He expressed confidence that all of the students would dare to go for re-evaluation if the authorities concerned blamed the incompetence of the students for the marks they were being allotted to them.
Another student Naomi Tungdim said it is really disheartening and disappointing to know that a central university could be so irresponsible in giving such unbelievable marks. She demanded a clarification from the university and a re-evaluation of their marks.
Albeit the revised result, the Manipur University Authority is yet to issued a clarification in this regard.
Rayburn College, located at Gangpimual, Lamka of Churachandpur district, Manipur, was established in the year 1994 as a co-educational institute. The College is an affiliated College under Manipur University under permission No. MU/1-65/98/cdc/136, dated 7th August, 2012, Imphal, Manipur, and follows the curriculum prescribed by the Manipur University. Ever since its affiliation with the Government of Manipur since 7th August 2012, the College got its recognition by the University Grant Commission (UGC) under Section 2(f) @ 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956, No.8-29/2015(CCP-I/C), dated, Delhi, 23rd April, 2015.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
