SEMESTER SYSTEM: IS IT A CHOICE OF COLLEGES AND STUDENTS IN NORTHEAST INDIA?

SEMESTER SYSTEM: IS IT A CHOICE OF COLLEGES AND STUDENTS IN NORTHEAST INDIA?
By: Dr. Athiqul H. Laskar

Since decades, the Indian education system has been under constant scrutiny by academicians, parents and students. Schools and colleges in India typically follow two systems for an academic year – the quarter system and the semester system. Both systems have their own set of pros and cons and it is at times up to the individual to decide which one to choose. In the following paragraphs, we shall explore the benefits and drawbacks of each system separately and analyze them in perspective of the education system currently followed in northeast India.
How does the semester system work? In the semester system, the academic year is divided into two large phases called ‘semesters’. Each semester is close to 15 weeks long with an extra week for finals. In this way, the academic year spans over 32 weeks. A student takes approximately 5 classes each semester and therefore, about 10 classes in a year. Students receive a set of permanent grades at the end of each semester and the two semesters in every academic year are separated by a summer and winter break, one of which is longer than the other.
Since a semester is lengthier than a quarter, students have more time to grasp their coursework. Classes are relatively slow-paced and this offers students ample opportunities to pursue extra-curricular activities and other interests if they wish to. This system works favorably for individuals who tend to procrastinate or prefer to study at an easy pace. However, if a student happens to dislike a particular class, he or she cannot change it till the end of the semester.
How does the quarter system work? The quarter system is far more fast-paced than the semester system as it comprises of an academic year divided into four quarters namely – fall, winter, spring and summer. Summer classes are usually optional and therefore, each academic year effectively constitutes of three quarters. Each quarter is about 10 weeks long with an extra week added for finals which means that the academic year is 33 weeks long (about as long as with the semester system). Students typically take three to four classes in each quarter which adds up to about 12 classes each year. The only advantage is that if a student does not like a class, he or she does not have to suffer with it for too long as classes finish earlier.
Since quarters are shorter in duration, classes are significantly compact and a lot of syllabus is covered in each meeting. This eventually means that a student is expected to grasp a lot of coursework in a short while and work harder to keep abreast with class work. Missing a class could cause a student to lag behind and face difficulties in coping up. Therefore, quarter system is quite challenging and demanding as compared to semester system. It virtually leaves the student with no extra time for extra-curricular and recreational activities.
The importance of making the right choice: When students make a switch from semester system to quarter system or vice-versa, they may experience difficulties in adjusting to the new pace of coursework and examination patterns. Choosing the right system for a student essentially depends upon individual personality traits and study habits. For instance, people who can deliver goods only under stress and pressure may find the semester system too laidback and may feel at their productive best in a quarter system. On the other hand, students who like to study for fewer hours in a day and involve themselves in other activities may find the quarter system to stressful. Here, a semester system would be the thing of choice. In this way, the choice of system greatly affects the productivity and output of a student.
Which system is recommended for NE India? In view of the current situation in northeast India, colleges would benefit immensely from the semester system. As we have already seen, the semester system allows for suitable proportioning of coursework so that students have the flexibility and freedom to modify their workload based on individual needs. Since continuous assessment is an important component of the semester system, students are motivated to work systematically and deliver consistent results. Students are able to achieve their academic goals in a better way and at the same time, learn to be self-reliant and disciplined. Professor Helmand Kumar Baruah, Senior Lecturer at Tangla College, Assam is strongly in favor of adopting the semester system for all colleges in the region. According to him, “Continuous internal assessment with more emphasis on abilities that are not vested by a semester examination forms an integral part of the system. It is, therefore, necessary to keep internal assessment and external semester examination marks/grades separate. Students have the opportunity to discuss their answers in all accepted tools of internal evaluation which adds to reliability. Periodical tests prepare students continuously for the final examination, thereby eliminating the fear of the unknown”.
Moreover, semester system is far more lenient with attendance requirements so that students have the freedom and opportunity to channelize their energy to subjects and classes that require more attention. The quality of communication between teachers and students is higher in a semester system as there is a lot of interaction on a one-on-one basis.
With the semester system however, care must be taken to distribute course content in accordance with the teaching and evaluation methods. Students must gradually be introduced to complex topics and testing their abilities must also follow an order starting from basic to advance.
According to Sweta Sharma, a lecturer at Commerce College in Kokrajhar, Assam, “As a matter of fact, introduction of semester system at undergraduate level will be a great remedy to a lot many problems. Apart from maintaining regularities in study patterns, semester system will go a long way in making the study of commerce a real success on part of the students”. With the semester system, students and teachers will be able to manage their time more effectively between academics and other activities. Students will be able to study each subject in detail and have time to gain diversified knowledge through various mediums such as seminars, debates, group discussions, case studies, independent studies, practical visits and project preparations.
The potential barriers: Like with any other major systematic change, making a switch from quarter system to semester system in academic institutions of northeast comes with its own set of barriers and problems. With inadequate infrastructure and faculty in some colleges, it is practically not viable to implement a new system. There is an acute shortage of competent lecturers and examiners and most faculty members are overburdened with multiple tasks. The teacher-student ratio is seriously skewed (it is currently 56:1 as opposed to the ideal 25:1) and this hampers healthy interaction between the two. “No doubt, semester system of examination is better but the crux of the problem lies in the implementation of the new system. Hence it looks difficult and we naturally apprehend certain practical difficulties” – says Professor A N Shankar of Mizoram University, Aizawl. He however insists that semester system can be introduced and rather, should be introduced for increased uniformity. The efforts can be backed up by appointing new teachers and improving infrastructure along with academic facilities.
Benefits of semester system for colleges in northeast India: On an average, students have to attend seven classes daily – needless to say, this can be quite monotonous and tiring. It is often seen that students are unable to concentrate after about five classes and eagerly wait for the classes to end. With a semester system, students will have to attend four classes which will keep their minds fresh and hence more receptive to what is being taught.
Manik Lal Kalwar, a lecturer at Guwahati Commerce College says - “Since the Assam government (of NE region in particular) has already decided to separate higher secondary classes from colleges and shift them to the higher secondary schools, colleges will have classroom facilities readily available for other purposes. Classroom facilities are always lacking in most schools in NE India. These available classrooms could be fruitfully used. I don’t see any problem in introducing the semester system”. Manik further adds, “In another scenario colleges or academic institutions can have a double shift system – one class from 8 am to 12 noon, and the second starting from 1 pm to 5 pm. The classrooms can even be used for community vocational classes at night for general public”. Vocational classes like handicrafts, carpentry, music and dance are immensely beneficial for the growth of a society as a whole and will also increase employment opportunities for locals.
The semester system provides for enough time in-between classes that students can use to perform part-time jobs to pay for their tuition and academic expenses. There are various campus jobs like assistant lectureship, library jobs, accounting and reception jobs that can help students gain independence and exposure. Opportunities like this will motivate more students to complete their college education, especially those who hold back due to financial constraints. It will also solve the problem of youth employment to a certain extent.
Conclusion: In keeping with several aspects, it is obvious that semester system would be ideal for students, teachers and the society in northeast India. Although indirectly, it would open up a sea of development and employment opportunities and lessen the burden that students have to face today in terms of finance and academic stress. There may be some initial difficulty in implementing this change but in the long run, it will certainly be worth the effort. Decentralization and privatization of institutions can go a long way in improving the quality of infrastructure, educational facilities and staff. (Writer is an ex-professor of US College and NATO Commander of Holland sector)