Nagaland college students raise concern over high failure rates

DIMAPUR — The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has expressed serious concern over the unusually high failure rates in the recent 2nd and 4th semester examination results declared on July 13, attributing it to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

In a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, the ANCSU, citing “extensive discussions with the students and college authorities”, observed that institutions in Nagaland are still in the process of transitioning to the new system.

“Consequently, the dropout rate for the 2nd and 4th semesters has been unusually high this academic year,” it maintained, adding that the situation not only tarnishes the reputation of institutions and the university but also puts the academic future of thousands of students at risk.

While acknowledging the NEP’s objective of promoting holistic student development by integrating co-curricular activities and vocational education, and enhancing employability, the student union stressed the need to ensure that the implementation does not endanger students’ academic futures.

“We cannot support any system that jeopardises students’ career,” it asserted.

The student union said that the 2nd-semester students represent the very first group assessed under the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), while the 4th-semester students signify the final cohort under the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), and the recently declared results “drastically reduced the pass rate, causing anxiety and unrest among students, and discouraging them from pursuing higher studies.”

Furthermore, the ANCSU urged the university to review its mark moderation procedure under the FYUGP framework of NEP, emphasising the need for a more student-friendly approach to reduce failures.

“We have observed a higher number of backlogs than passed students, and this poor result may cause long-term harm and scepticism regarding NEP 2020’s implementation in our state,” it said.

The ANCSU pointed out several issues with the recently declared results, including missing names of students, inaccuracies in subject honours on result sheets, and missing marks for specific components in certain courses.

Additionally, it said that students are yet to receive their 1st semester mark sheets and NU roll numbers.

Further, it urged the Nagaland University to consider allowing respective colleges to examine the 1st-semester answer sheets so that newly enrolled students, who unfamiliar with the demands of the new system, may get a better chance.

It also appealed to a one-time relaxation for advancement to the next semester for students who have failed in up to three papers.

Recommending that the university provide acknowledgment slips to colleges upon receiving documents, both online and offline, it urged the university to thoroughly assess the situation with sincerity and ensure a supportive educational environment for all students.