Dear All,
At the outset I would like to comment on Mr. Sudhir's observations (see the extract at the end of this mail) in this thread at the Forum.
1.The topic for discussion presented is a general trend in India and isn't an issue only to a State or at an Institutional level. There may be exceptions in this context.
2. But it is a fact that there is a decrease in the number of candidates clearing the exam for the last three or four years, even with a steady increase of NET aspirants. In the past there certainly had the candidates qualifying 2 or 3 times. But things changed now.
3.There is no question of diluting NET exam for getting more aspirants. Since LIS education is widespread in India, the profession demands more competent young professionals having NET. In other words we can't wind up LIS courses for 'concentrating' LIS manpower/UGC NET qualifiers.
As pointed out by Mr. Prakash (Inflibnet), it is the right time to present our views before the committee constituted to review NET. LIS teachers may be the competent authority to embark, along with professional bodies at the national/regional levels. There must be consensus distilled out from various Email Discussion Fora on things revolving around NET in LIS. Among other things, the following may be the matters of concern.
(i). Quality of LIS education in India:
(ii). Revision of syllabi:
Every year UGC has a same set of syllabus (may be years old)
even with the some obsolete concepts.
(iii). Conduct of exams:
I think UGC could think for exams three times a year. Question booklets should be retained by the candidates (at least for the first paper) and answer keys for various versions can be published. Similarly the questions for other two papers should be made available at the site.
(iv). Declaration of results:
The results of NET exam at one session should be published before the advertisement for the next session OR at least before the last date of submission of applications.
(v). Consider the right of candidates:
-UGC is liable to convey the cut off marks, especially for the first two papers and if there is diferent cut offs for different subjects, that thing also.
-If all the papers are valued, then the marks earned in each paper
etc.
-In cases, where candidates couldn't qualify, then marks obtained
at the first/second or both papers should be informed.
-Statistics regarding the total number of candidates appeared and
cleared the test in each subject, including university wise statistics.
Bye for now
Saji S. Nair
Trivandrum
Kerala
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 14:44:30 +0530
From: sudhier k g pillai