CU grading system faulty

The UGC has advised the CU authorities recently to wait for an international standard uniform grading system, sources said. It is preparing a uniform grading system for the public universities of the country. It also asked the CU authorities to follow the fresh grading system scrapping the existing one being followed during the last six academic sessions.

Pro-Vice-chancellor Professor Dr. M Shamsuddin admitted that the university authorities received an official order in this regard.

Vice-chancellor Professor AJM Nuruddin Chowdhury told The Daily Star that the UGC is preparing a uniform grading system for all the public universities. It would certainly ensure acceptability, he said.

He, however, could not say anything about the present stage of the matter. He said the respective universities have the options whether they would implement the UGC recommendation about the grading system or not.

Of 14,000, students 2,000 were enrolled under class system in the academic session of 1997-98 in master's degree and the rest under grading system.

The CU authorities introduced the grading system instead of class system for evaluating the answer script in 1998-1999 academic session.

The grading system had similarity with the internationally recognised one. Students of the first batch under the grading system in most of the departments are now in fourth year and several departments have already finished their honours course under the system.

CU grading system was as follows: 80 per cent and its above marks is A+ (GPA 4), 75-79 per cent as A (GPA 3.75), 70-74 per cent as A- (GPA 3.50), 65-69 per cent as B+ (GPA 3.25), 60-65 per cent as B (GPA 3), 55-59 per cent as B- (GPA 2.75), 50-54 per cent as C+ (GPA 2.50), 45-49 per cent as C (GPA 2.25), 44-40 per cent as C- (GPA 2) and 35-39 per cent D (GPA 1.75).

But the authorities revised the grading system following the agitation of students for cancellation of the grading system in August 2003. They also demanded revival of old class system. They made the demand as the examiners followed the previous system in giving marks that resulted in lower grade point in final year examinations.

To end the deadlock, the CU authorities had revised the grading system. As per the revised grading system, 80 percent and its above marks is A+ (GPA 4), 70-79 per cent A (GPA 3.75), 60-69 per cent A- (GPA 3.50), 55-59 per cent B+ (GPA 3.25), 50-54 per cent B (GPA 3), 45-49 per cent as B- (GPA 2.75), 40-44 per cent C+ (GPA 2.50) and 35-39 per cent C- (GPA 2.25).

Meanwhile, students are likely to launch a fresh movement for cancellation of grading system and revival of the class system.

Hadi, a fourth year student of Anthropology Department said they are planning a movement in support of their demand. "The authorities impetuously introduced the grading system without sufficient and efficient teachers that led the teacher to give poor marks like class system," he added.