Beginning from the odd semester of 2025-26, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, revamped their grading system to disallow students from seeing their continuous internal assessment papers in favour of an online grading system. Once students submitted their answer booklets, they were scanned. Instead of physical copies, teachers graded the scanned copies which appeared on a digital portal in a randomised order. There was no room for professors to write feedback comments in the answer booklet. Once corrected, only the marks would be displayed on the SXC Qualcampus portal, which is an online students’ portal, and the exam procedure would end here, with students having to place their trust in an intransparent system.

If students did wish to look at their own answer sheets, they were asked to pay a fee of Rs. 200 per paper. 

The justification for this change from the administration was that this is a more unbiased procedure. Since the papers are scanned, the students’ roll numbers are hidden, and the papers are corrected in a randomised order - the identity of the student is concealed. A digital grading process also aided in calculating course outcomes for syllabus testing.

There has been a consensus among students and several professors who value a participative learning process, that this change in procedure is profoundly benighted and not in the best interest of the students.

Education is rooted in feedback. After each assessment, a display of papers by the respective professors is crucial. It not only clarifies doubts in the paper, but helps a learner understand their strengths and weaknesses, fosters self-reflection, and this leads to steady and consistent improvement. Students also provide insights to teachers with which they can refine their pedagogy. It also helps address errors and discrepancies in markings, which do arise quite often.

Asking students to accept their marks at face-value leaves them confused, disappointed and dissatisfied. This process can actually be doubly biased, because teachers are still able to recognise handwritings and thought-patterns of existing students, and exercise prejudices more freely because there is no accountability anymore.

Keeping students’ own answer sheets behind a paywall is impeding a democratized education system and restricting access to such key processes of growth to only those who can afford to pay for it. A paywall disproportionately affects underprivileged students - particularly when even government-aided courses, where fees are kept low to allow equitable access to education are brought under this pay-for-view system. This is conflicting with the Jesuit ethos of education which emphasizes equality of opportunity for all. Furthermore, a key pillar stated in the vision of the St Xavier's (along with innovation and integration) is ‘inclusion’, but the actual praxis of its policies seems to starkly juxtapose this vision.

This significant change was brought without considering the interests of the students. Even after there was an unfavourable response from students that was communicated, there was no redressal.

By signing this petition, as either a student, or faculty member, or a concerned citizen; you stand in solidarity with the students of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, and their desire to maintain and fight for a qualitative, feedback-oriented, equitable, and democratic learning-process in their institution. You magnify their voice in striving for social justice and a holistic learning environment for all.