WEDNESDAY, MAY 08, 2024
The principal of the college G R Kare College of Law has been accused of favouritism in the entrance procedure. The students alleged that there was a conflict of interest since the principal's son was appearing for the entrance exam this year. After the incident came to light, National Students' Union of India demanded from Goa University to scrap the newly implemented admission procedure by the college and to conduct the admissions again with the old way. Hence, the incident demands a thorough analysis.
Earlier, the LLB course was of three years duration, which one could do after completing his/her graduation. For the last few years however, one can also do the 5-year LLB degree after passing one’s Class XII examinations. The option of studying LLB for 3 years after completing graduation is also available along with the 5-year course. The admission process was being carried out smoothly over all these years but the Kare College principal's decision to change one rule regarding admission this year caused controversy. After Class XII higher secondary examinations, an entrance test is conducted as part of the admission process for LLB course.
The merit list used to be drawn by giving equal importance to both, the marks scored during Class XII examination as well during the entrance test. However, the criteria was changed this year and the merit list was made by only taking into account marks scored during the entrance examinations. Therefore the students who scored well during their Class XII examinations but failed to repeat their feat during the entrance test did not get the admission. Meanwhile, the principal's son who had scored less during Class XII exams but fared better during the entrance, got the admission. This is what aggrieved the students who had scored well during the Class XII exams which led to the accusations of favoritism.
Interestingly, the students were unaware about the change in rules till then. To add to their surprise, the prospectus of Kare College still carries the old rule. So the question is who changed the rule and when? As per the principal, the rule was changed by the Goa University through an ordinance and he only implemented it as part of his duty. If he is being truthful then there is nothing wrong in changing the rule. However, he should have provided more clarification given the seriousness of the situation. Since when was the ordinance supposed to be implemented? Did GU ask to implement it immediately? The Central government introduced the New Education Policy in 2020 but it's coming into effect from 2023. So, the government did give time in between to make the changes. Did the ordinance give such time to the law colleges? If the rule was changed from this year then the respective change was implemented only by Kare College or did other law colleges follow it too?
The accurate information revolving around this is yet to come to the fore. If all the law colleges have changed the rule then naturally there is nothing to debate. However, it seems that only Kare College has changed the respective rule. Another major accusation is that the principal and other professors from the Kare college had set the entrance test paper. This is objectionable. If the principal's son was going to answer the test then the principal should have refrained himself from getting involved in the procedure. That is the general rule. If any teacher's son/daughter is going to appear for the exams of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, then he/she can neither set the paper nor examine the answer sheets. In fact any employee of the Board has to stay away from the procedure if their children are appearing for Class X and Class XII examinations.
Earlier, it was also expected for the ministers to stay away from the concerned department if their children are going to answer Class X and Class XII examinations. In the 1980s, Shalini Sardinha's scandal had become infamous. The then education minister Francisco Sardinha had to even resign from his post as Shalini was his niece. Since then it became an unwritten law for people in posts of power to stay from the procedure of exams if their kin were involved. In this incident, the principal and his son are involved so it was expected for the principal to stay away. Since that was not the case, there is demand for the removal of the principal from his post. Goa University has appointed an inquiry committee to probe the matter and it is expected to come out with its verdict shortly. The University's decision to appoint such a panel is a welcome move. Making mere accusations does not solve anything. The accused should be given the opportunity to present his side too; which he shall receive, thanks to the establishment of the inquiry committee.
