TN varsity answer scripts to be e-evaluated

A senior Higher Education Department official told DT Next that the decision came against the backdrop of recent fraudulent attempts in the re-valuation process at Anna University.

He said a reputed multi-national information technology company will be selected very shortly to implement the automated examination processes (digital evaluation procedure) through an enterprise solution for examination work.

“The digital evaluation will be implemented at Alagappa University in the coming academic year on a pilot basis,” he added. The official added that the process would include identification marking of answer booklets, trimming, scanning and digitalisation of the pages of answer scripts in a particular format for evaluation. This procedure would also maintain database of all the courses and subjects and will also allocate answer booklets for evaluation on a daily basis. Explaining the valuation process, the official said the LAN-based system will accommodate a minimum of 200 evaluators at any point of time for correcting answer scripts through the computer.

“A secured login and password will be generated for each evaluator so they could access the software and download answer scripts,” he said, adding, in case of doubts during valuation, the evaluators could also check answer keys, which will be provided by the software. The official also pointed out that teachers can also access the question paper during evaluation. The software system will also ensure that marks allotted are correct.

Teachers will be provided training before evaluation begins. “The digital evaluation system will be slowly implemented in other universities in a phased manner,” the official added.