Delhi University has decided to alter only 30% of the compulsory core papers while revising the undergraduate curriculum and has given the directions to its various departments to start working on the same.
This modification has to strictly adhere to the UGC’s Learning Outcome-based Framework (LCOF) and Choice-based credit system (CBCS) as per the directive of C S Dubey, the chairman of the curriculum revision committee.
Under this move, 76 courses and 2,100 papers are being revised and these modifications will be implemented from the 2019 academic session and would include Non Collegiate Women’s Education Board and School Of Open Learning.
CBCS derived from United States’ well-known cafeteria scheme was implemented in 2015 and is aimed at allowing students to choose from various interdisciplinary courses. It changed the grading system to cumulative grade point average (CGPA) to allow greater mobility to students through transfer of credits.
The letter sent to all the departments clarified that CBSC structure as per UGC guidelines would be followed while modifying the papers. The compatibility of UG courses and mobility of students in different colleges/universities in India was told to be taken under consideration while making the changes.
However, this move also raised protest amongst teachers who considered it as an attack on their autonomy regarding the syllabi. We tried reaching out to Professor Abha Dev Habib for comment but she was unavailable.
The controversial outcome-based model has already raised several questions regarding the Government’s alleged bid to privatise the institution as stated by the DUTA member who considers that this move will force universities to offer market oriented self-financing courses and also show complete disregard to inclusive character and unique priorities of public-funded universities. It also invites greater interference from the government in the decision making front as quoted by a senior teacher in the department of political science in Times of India which stressed on the fact that for a long time it was teachers who used to decide what needs to be taught but now with CBCS they have certain guidelines to follow.
However, the varsity claims that this move will benefit close to seven lakh undergraduate students who will be seeking admission in 2019 and will also allow participation of students in the revision of curriculum. They have also developed a dashboard to enable teachers concerned to work collectively and share their inputs online.
Featured Image Credits-The Hindu
Antriksha Pathania
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