Students appear for a university examination. Telegraph picture

A section of Patna University (PU) teachers has opposed the administration’s decision to take help of research scholars for invigilation, arguing that such an arrangement might allow examinees to resort to various unfair means.

“Research scholars are not regular employees of the university. They receive a stipend of around Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 a month. They can be easily bribed by examinees,” a senior teacher of the varsity said on condition of anonymity.

The university has only 380 teachers for around 28,000 students. With such a teacher-student ratio, the varsity administration has to depend on the research scholars for invigilation, sources said.

Ideally, for every 25 examinees, there should be one invigilator.

On the direction of the state government last year, students’ intake into various colleges under Patna University was doubled.

In Patna Science College, the intake was around 300 in 2010 but 600 students were enrolled in the new session in 2011. However, the number of teachers remained the same at around 30.

Randhir Kumar Singh, a teacher of Patna College, said: “Owing to power cuts in various colleges under Patna University, students are forced to write their papers in dark. In such a situation, students get a chance to indulge in unfair means.”

Raghuvansh Mani, a student of the institution, admitted that use of unfair means is common in colleges under Patna University. Mani said: “Students indulge in unfair means not only in presence of research scholars but also teachers.”

When contacted, Satish Patel, a history research scholar, said: “The rumour about research scholars indulging in unfair means and accepting money from examinees is not true. The scholars for invigilation are selected by the university administration.”