Even as the controversy over a large number of students failing in the bachelor of computer applications (BCA) course is yet to die down, another row is likely to hit the Nagpur University. Reason: 95% students have failed to clear the first semester examination of three years and five years bachelor of law (LLB) courses the results of which were announced on Saturday.The students blamed it on the university saying that radical changes were made in the syllabus and the pattern of examination as was recommended by the Bar Council of Maharashtra. This is the primary cause of poor results, they said. Earlier, there were 20 internal marks and 80 for the theory. But the internal marks were not introduced in the new syllabus. Besides, three new subjects, including law of contract and law of trots, were introduced which added to the students' woes. They claimed that the university conducted an entrance test to appease private colleges for getting students as the bar council had raised the admission criteria to 45% in class XII which resulted in many seats remaining vacant in these institutes.
"The university introduced the syllabus of national law schools (NLS) without considering the fact that it was meant for yearly pattern. Nagpur university has semester system. We got very little time to prepare for the examination after taking admission," an aggrieved student Payal Gaikwad said.
Another student Yusuf Hussein claimed that Nagpur is the only university which implemented in totality the curriculum recommended by the bar council whereas others sought time. "They have even raised the passing marks to 50% in each subject. This is disgusting as many students keen to make a career in law are contemplating withdrawing their admissions," he said.
Principal of GH Raisoni Law School Ashok Yende termed the development as shocking. "The university is depriving students of getting legal education by introducing changes in a hurry. A couple of colleges have zero per cent result which is difficult to believe. In many colleges, a majority of students failed in at least five subjects. These disturbing figures are a testimony to the fact that something is wrong with the new pattern," he said.
Dean of law faculty Ashok Pawde admitted that stopping internal marks might be one of the reasons for poor results and added that the facility might be restored. "We will raise this issue in the faculty meeting. But, frankly speaking, even after awarding 10 grace marks, it would have hardly made a difference as the margin of failure is huge," he said.
