‘Issue supplement only if main answer sheet is filled up’

It seems that the examination department of the University of Mumbai has taken the ‘Save Tree Save Paper’ campaign seriously, which is making loud slogans across the world. The department has issued a directive to all colleges asking the exam hall supervisor to check if the main answer sheet is filled appropriately by the student, before giving a supplement.

Currently, the engineering college examination under the varsity is going on, and this initiative will be implemented in these exams. This will be implicated to all university level exams.

The varsity conducts around 1,000 examinations every year for a number of streams. More than 5 lakh student appear for these exams. “We will not stop the student from taking the extra answer sheet. We have just given the directives to the colleges that before providing a supplement ensure that his/her main answer sheet is being used properly. We have found out of 100 students who use the supplement, only 10 use the main answer sheet properly and rest just leave the pages blank in the main answer sheet. It is misuse of paper. To restrict those students who unnecessarily take supplement, we have issued such directives. These are not only for engineering exams but also for all exams which will be conducted by the varsity,” said Vilas Shinde, controller of examination, University of Mumbai.

He added that some months back a report appeared in the newspaper, where varsity supplements were found in one of the house of a lecturer. “To avoid such kind of activity, we are keeping a check on the supplement,” he said.

Requesting anonymity, an engineering student said, “Some of the extended varsity argument is genuine but it seems strange that the supervisor checks the answer sheet before providing supplement. It’s a time consuming process.”

Kiran Mangaonkar, principal of Mithibai college, Vile Parle, said, “It’s a good initiative. There is no problem in checking the main answer sheet before giving the supplement. It’s easy for the supervisor to check if the main has been used properly.”