Kannur University’s internal mark entry system collapses

The internal mark entry system for the second semester of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) at Kannur University has collapsed, as the Kerala Resources for Education Administration and Planning (K-REAP) Software, operated by Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL), has become non-functional. This has left teachers unable to upload marks.

The failure, coming amid ongoing errors in the university’s examination system, has further deepened the academic crisis. This is the second major malfunction of MKCL’s software at the university. Following the malfunction, the university, in a letter dated 11 April, extended the deadline for all affiliated colleges by rescheduling the submission date for internal marks from April 23 to May 5.

Kannur University had earlier sparked controversy by handing over crucial functions, including student admissions and examinations, to MKCL without a legally binding contract — a first in Kerala. MKCL’s inability to manage internal mark submission for the second semester has raised serious concerns about the reliability of upcoming academic processes.

Teachers’ bodies like Kerala Private College Teachers’ Association and UDF Senators Forum had earlier warned that relying on MKCL’s system could lead to catastrophic failure. They had urged the university during its annual Senate meeting to reconsider its engagement with MKCL, labelling the company as unreliable.

The continuing technical failures have fuelled fresh demands for the university to terminate its association with MKCL and implement more robust systems to safeguard academic integrity.