New Delhi, July 22: University Vice-Chancellors, collage principals and eminent educationists in the country have expressed divergent views on a suggestion that students in autonomous colleges should evaluate the work of their teachers.
Four workshops organised by the University Grants Commission had recommended that “the process of assessment of students should be continuous and they in turn may also evaluate the efficiency of teachers in the teaching-testing-learning processes.”
Several of the academicians, whose views were sought by UNI, reacted favourably to the recommendation. Some of them were enthusiastic about it, but invariably all of them had certain reservations and warned that if the proposed innovation was misused, it could prove disastrous.
Calicut University’s acting Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Sukumar Azhikode, said: “I believe that teacher assessment by the student is neither a fanciful nor an ideal concept, but that one that is highly realistic. In every classroom this goes on while a teacher is engaged in teaching. Any teacher would strive to derive the admiration, affection and regard of the student, which is the result of an informal assessment of the teacher by the student. Most of the teachers are subtly inspired by it.” But, he warned that if this assessment is elevated into an administrative weapon by which the merit of a teacher is solely or partly adjudged, it may prove very mischievous. Students are easily swayed by political and social pressures and assessment by such a class may lead to victimisation of teachers.
Dr. K. Madhavankutty, Principal, Trivandrum Medical College, welcomed the proposal and suggested that assessments should be made not by individual students but by a group.
Published – July 23, 2025 04:46 am IST
