Educationists laud directive

CHENNAI: A recent decision of the Central Information Commissioner (CIC) on an RTI application, directing JIPMER to provide copy of the answer key of an entrance examination conducted in July, and holding access to such information a fundamental right of the applicant, has received much appreciation from various quarters. Educationists and students now feel that this provision should be extended to evaluated answersheets as well to usher in more transparency. A number of educationists said that evaluation continues to remain one of the grey areas of educational institutions. According to E Balagurusamy, former Vice Chancellor of the Anna University, the laxity with which some of the teachers conduct the evaluation was a major issue. Vice Chancellor of Pondicherry Central University (PU), J A K Tareen, said the best way to avoid controversies relating to corrections was to reduce the scope for subjective evaluation. According to him, most universities, including PU, have moved to the model of objective questions-based entrance examinations.