UK: Exams at risk as lecturers refuse to mark papers

30 May 2010

University students are facing disruption to exams and graduations this summer as lecturers refuse to mark papers in protest against funding cuts, redundancies and pay freezes, writes Julie Henry for The Telegraph. Staff at one university have already agreed a complete ban on the marking of essays and exams. Tutors at others across the country are considering similar moves.

At the annual congress of the University and College Union (UCU) next week, a motion will call on all branches to hold ballots for action, including a work to rule on all exam marking, to oppose compulsory redundancies. It would spark widespread chaos for students sitting papers, including finals, in May and June and those who hope to pick up their degrees this summer.

In response to plans at Westminster University to get rid of more than 50 posts by the end of July, staff in the UCU have already held a successful ballot for industrial action. Members told university officials on Friday that they will "refuse to carry out any marking of any description". Strike action is also on the cards in opposition to funding cuts across the sector of more than £1 billion, to pay freezes and to threats to cut pensions.
Full report on The Telegraph site

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