Delhi University (DU) has initiated an investigation after 500 students from the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) were marked as "failed" or "absent" in exams conducted at Jesus and Mary College (JMC). The incident has ignited protests and calls for accountability, with students demanding a revision of their results and a thorough review of the examination process.
The Crisis at Jesus and Mary College
The issue came to light when nearly 500 NCWEB students found that they had been marked either "failed," "Essential Repeat" (ER), or "absent" in their recent exam results, despite attending the exams and performing well. NCWEB, an initiative by Delhi University, provides women with an opportunity to pursue undergraduate degrees through weekend classes and exams held at affiliated colleges like Jesus and Mary College.
Many affected students gathered outside the college to protest, demanding the correction of their results. Joining them were members of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU), who expressed their solidarity with the students. They accused the college of mishandling the evaluation process and misrepresenting their performance.
Students’ Plea for Justice
The protesting students voiced their frustrations, stating that they had clear evidence of passing their exams, yet their results did not reflect their hard work. Vidhi Chaudhari, an NCWEB student, stated, “We have proof of passing our exams, but we’re being asked to retake them.” The students demanded that their answer sheets be shown and the discrepancies be corrected, as they felt unfairly penalized.
The students’ plea has gained widespread attention, with many calling for transparency and accountability in the evaluation process. Their protest is not just about correcting individual marks but also about addressing systemic issues in the functioning of NCWEB’s examination system.
Delhi University’s Response and Investigation
Delhi University swiftly responded to the situation, acknowledging the discrepancies in the exam results. DU officials ordered an immediate investigation into the matter and instructed Jesus and Mary College to resolve the issue by addressing the errors in the results. University officials assured students that any genuine mistakes would be rectified and revised results would be released promptly.
In addition to internal inquiries, Delhi University filed a police complaint against a staff member accused of causing the discrepancies in the result management process. The university is now working to ensure that the errors are corrected and that such issues do not occur in the future.
Call for Systemic Reforms
The incident has brought to light long-standing concerns about the NCWEB system. Maya John, a member of the DU Academic Council, pointed out that the mishandling of exam results is not an isolated incident. She called for systemic reforms, particularly stressing the need for a separate examination branch for NCWEB centres. “NCWEB centres need a separate examination branch and additional staff to manage their workload. These measures have been long overdue,” John said. The call for reforms highlights the growing need for better management and infrastructure to cater to the unique demands of NCWEB students.
The current crisis underscores the lack of sufficient resources and staff to handle the increasing number of NCWEB students, which has led to errors in record-keeping and result processing. The students’ protest is not only about correcting individual results but also about ensuring that NCWEB becomes more efficient and reliable moving forward.
What’s Next for NCWEB Students?
As the investigation continues, students are awaiting assurances from Delhi University that their concerns will be addressed. University officials have assured the students that the issue will be resolved, with corrective measures in place. The university has promised to release revised results for affected students as soon as the errors are rectified.
In the meantime, the ongoing protests serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by non-traditional students, particularly those enrolled in programs like NCWEB. Students are seeking transparency, justice, and swift action to restore their faith in the examination system.
The resolution of this crisis is critical not only for the students involved but also for the future functioning of the NCWEB program. As the situation unfolds, many hope it will lead to broader reforms that improve the overall experience for NCWEB students, ensuring that they receive the quality of education and fair treatment they deserve.
Final Thoughts
The incident at Jesus and Mary College has exposed significant flaws in the NCWEB exam evaluation process, raising serious concerns about the management of exams and results for distance learning students. As Delhi University investigates and works on rectifying the situation, students are calling for more robust measures to ensure the integrity and reliability of the examination system. In the meantime, the protests reflect a growing demand for accountability, transparency, and reform, not just at JMC but across all NCWEB centres.
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