Manipur University has no provision for retest

By Ningthoujam Prasant and Elangbam Nikita

IMPHAL | July 19

The Manipur University authorities have clarified that there is no provision for retest of a candidate after results are declared.

Officials made this clarification when the Imphal Free Press asked the reaction of the university to an application purportedly filed by an in individual, seeking retest of B.A. (Home Science) examination, 2017 gold medalist Hijam Surjabala to the vice-chancellor of the university. The application is uploaded on social media.

The complainant has urged the vice-chancellor to conduct a retest of Surjabala, a Manipuri film actor, popularly known as Bala, who stood first in the examination.

The application dated July 17 expressed doubts on the result stating that there are cases of mass copying, attendance only during examinations and many colleges did not conduct proper classes.

According to MU officials, there is no provision for retest as per the university examination guidelines. The only option is re-evaluation if a student is not satisfied with his or her marks.

They also said answer scripts are coded before evaluation to hide the identity of the students and marks are awarded according to the performance of the students.

“The university sends flying squad teams to various examination centres during examinations to assess the examination process and in case any student is caught using unfair means, he or she is expelled on the spot”, a university official said, adding actors can also excel in academics.

Faculties of the home science department of Standard College, Surjabala’s college, said she is a “quick learner.” Although she could not attend regular classes due to her commitments, she had always submitted her assignments on time, attendded her practical classes regularly and kept herself updated with the academic progress of the college. They also added that the practical examination for home science was conducted by an external examiner.

“We are not happy with the recent accusations made against her as she is good in her academics. And there are not such rules that an actor cannot outperform other students in academics.” they said.

Standard College produced position holders in previous years also. Along with Surjabala, two more students are among the top 10 position holders in the B.A (home science) examination, 2017, they said. 

Surjabala said she is ready for a retest if all the students are willing to take the test together.

“I took up homes science because I had the belief that I can do well in this subject.” she said.

Surjabala, daughter of Hijam Biramangol Singh, was felicitated by the then MLA of Sagolband constituency Loken Singh for securing 1 st division in her 12 th standard examinations from Manipur Public School in 2011.