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The implementation of ITEP and the elimination of other teacher training courses such as B.El.Ed courses by Delhi University without consultation is being contested by students and academics who think the program is unique in its own way and that introducing ITEP doesn’t require the elimination of other programs.

The All India Forum for Right to Education ( AIFRTE ) conducted a webinar on’ Introduction of ITEP and against the cancellation of B.El.Ed.’ on May 30, 2023 (Tuesday) at 7 pm. The discussion took place live on Zoom platform and was also broadcasted on Facebook and YouTube page of AIFRTE. The list of speakers included – Prof Krishna Kumar (Renowned educationist & Former Director, NCERT) , Prof Poonam Batra (Expert in Elementary Education & Co-creator of the framework of B.El.Ed, Prof Latika Gupta (Prof in Dept of Education, Delhi University) and Prachi Gupta (Student of B.El.Ed., DU). More than a hundred people participated in the live debate, with many actively sharing their opinions through the comments, including several B.El.Ed students and professors.

The backdrop of the discussion was the adoption of ITEP ( (Integrated Teacher Education Program) by the Delhi University Academic Council on 26^th May, 2023 overruling objections raised by many elected teacher representatives, protesting students, and expert opinions.

ITEP was launched by NCTE ( National Council for Teacher Education ) under NEP 2020 scarping all the existing teacher training courses and to be adopted as the single course in the entire country. Experts have highlighted how it can weaker in terms of pedagogic training and how it is a threat to courses like B.Ed. and B.El.Ed.

The conversation centred on the future of B.El.Ed programmes and how a systematic dismantling of prior structures and efforts to reform the education system is detrimental in many ways. It also emphasised the program’s values and how it helped the learning process.

Mr Jagmohan, the webinar’s host, began by introducing everyone. He also briefly stated how, from the commencement of NEP 2020, the main attack has been on how teachers will be prepared for it. Furthermore, it has now come down to teacher training for the same.

Prof Krishna Kumar, an experienced educationist and one of the oldest professionals to share his knowledge on the matter, opened the discussion.

At this point it is important to remember that B.El.Ed was born in struggle and has faced various struggles all along its short history of three decades. Some hurdles like the concept of elementary that was not easily digested at the time the program began. I remember how Prof Upendra Baxi steered the discussion with his great legal skills and was able to convince the council of what will the program do. Over time, it has faced various hurdles, but today we are facing a new kind of uncertainty.

– Prof Krishna Kumar

He mentions there are apprehensions on ITEP replacing courses like B.El.Ed but on the other hand there is a constant difficulty of faculty shortage. Prof Krishna Kumar states an important point the nowhere in the NEP policy it is mentioned that the ITEP will replace all the teaching courses, rather the general tone suggests that there will be multiple roots for teachers to be trained and prepared for jobs. This is not a threat to courses like B.El.Ed as it is well established and is widely accepted.

The university has underestimated the achievements and values of the program which has benefited both teachers and students. Delhi university has no dearth of colleges to start with its ITEP program, there is no point in killing one innovation to start with the other.

– Prof Krishna Kumar

Later on, He highlights the importance of the course by saying that nobody else in teacher education have the kind of theoretical command and the insights in pedagogy like the B.El.Ed graduates.

Prof Latika Gupta then recounts her own experience with how the Course presented so many new concepts and how, despite the fact that the country has changed so much, the programme has maintained its true spirit and enthusiasm throughout its duration.

This course is an existence in itself, which drives all of us together. The recent graduates and students must overcome this round of crisis. Maybe this is an opportunity to re organize and start fresh.

– Prof Latika Gupta

Several additional B.El.Ed students joined the discussion and highlighted how the degree empowered them and helped them to choose the finest ideas to share with the students. The programme serves as a model for not only imparting theoretical knowledge and training, but also building confidence and motivation to ask tough questions.

B.El.Ed has taught me how to make education more engaging and not boring, art and theatre has helped me in incorporating expression inside the classroom so that I could help my learners be more expressive and creative.

– A student who shared her experience during the webinar.

Prof Poonam Batra joined the conversation and expressed her concern about the teacher training course’s existential crises and how the elimination of such programmes might compromise children’s learning. She claims that teacher education is an easy target, and that if other higher education systems take the area, we are likely to lost the battle for our students. She recalls how well-crafted the curriculum was and how well developed its integration was, allowing for both interdisciplinary learning as well as theoretical and practical approaches of study.

The core subjects of B.El.Ed have significant contributions as it allows young students to revisit what they learnt in school and this time understand it from an epistemological viewpoint, It is about Knowledge generation and engagement.

– Prof Poonam Batra.

Another AIFRTE team member expressed his concerns about how the disintegration of the education system without consultation is an assault on the learning process, academicians, and students. He emphasises the importance of coming together to fight such acts. There is an increasing need to convey to individuals the consequences of such activities.

Mr. Jagmohan concluded the discussion by encouraging everyone to be optimistic and to participate in the struggle.

Link for full Discussion – https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1221617085188263

Read also – https://dubeat.com/?s=B.El.Ed+

Image credits – News click, Google images

Priya Agrawal

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DUB News

DU Scraps Existing B.El.Ed. Programme, Teachers Raise Objection

By DU Beat May 15, 2023

Delhi University intends to replace the current B.El.Ed. degree with an integrated course for teachers’ education in compliance with NEP 2020. The move, which is expected to be implemented from July 2023 onward, has been met with opposition from faculty members who have questioned the reasoning behind it.

The Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.) degree at Delhi University is due to be replaced with a new programme beginning this year, the Integrated Teacher’s Education Programme (ITEP), a new four-year course that is expected to commence in July. It will offer the B.A.B.Ed., B.Sc.B.Ed., and B.Com. courses. Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary (5+3+3+4): the new school structure laid out in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will be followed to train teachers henceforth.

We will be scrapping B.El.Ed. and bringing in ITEP. For this year, we will run both programmes parallelly. Both can’t run together because teachers are limited; we are not getting new teachers from the government. We are looking at starting ITEP this July, and if there is a positive response, B.El.Ed will be automatically scrapped.

-DU registrar Vikas Gupta, in conversation with The Indian Express

Four colleges under the University of Delhi have applied for the programme. Three of them—Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, Jesus and Mary College, and Mata Sundri College—will launch the new programme this year following approval from the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The rationale given behind the scrapping of the B.El.Ed. programme is the implementation of NEP and the objective of transformational improvements in the education system.

Every course has its durability. For instance, now that NEP has come into effect, the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) has automatically ended. Existing teachers are qualified; they will teach the new course. Colleges have provided a list of teachers, post which the NCTE has given its approval.

-DU registrar Vikas Gupta, in conversation with The Indian Express

According to a statement by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), a flagship programme of NCTE under NEP 2020, the ITEP will be launched in 57 Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) from the academic session 2023–24.

This integrated course will benefit students since they will save one year by finishing the course in 4 years rather than the customary 5 years required by the present B.Ed. plan… The course will contribute substantially to the revitalization of the whole teacher education sector.

– statement issued by PBI on March 4, 2023

Reportedly, teachers have expressed concern about the decision and questioned the need for its scrapping considering it is a “popular course with a high placement record.” The Department of Elementary Education hosted a meeting last week wherein faculty members urged the University and the governing board to reconsider the decision. Teachers agreed with the implementation of ITEP in light of more extensive reforms to teacher education in accordance with the NEP. However, they insisted that it should be an addition rather than a replacement to the existing curriculum. According to The Indian Express, teachers and educationists at the meeting called the ITEP a “pedagogically and academically flawed programme.”

What is the rationale for removing one course to start another? B.EL.Ed. is the first and only professional degree programme that prepares teachers for elementary classes (I-VIII), mandated under the Right to Education Act. It weaves together general and professional education. ITEP, on the other hand, is designed as a 3+1 programme, where 3 years is focused on general education and one year for professional training.

-Prof. Maya John, a member of DU’s academic council, in conversation with The Quint

The B.El.Ed. programme was launched in 1994 by Delhi University and is currently offered in eight colleges. It was the first integrated teacher programme for elementary education that an Indian university had ever provided.

The B.El.Ed. programme, with its interdisciplinary approach and integration of general and professional education, has successfully trained over 8,000 teachers, in consonance with the Constitutionally mandated Right to Education Act.

-Prof. Poonam Batra, a retired DU professor who co-created the B.El.Ed. programme

Teachers have questioned the justification for the implementation of ITEP, claiming it is “inadequate” to provide the requisite skills.

The ITEP programme provides only one-year professional training following three years of general education (BA/BSc), which is inadequate to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and capacities for teaching diverse levels and classrooms. Imposition of ITEP goes against university statutes that protect the university’s autonomy to design curricula.

-Prof. Poonam Batra added

Pankaj Arora, Dean of the Department of Education, disagreed with this assertion and claimed that the “new course caters to the needs of the new structure as envisaged by NEP.”

The new course is a dual degree course. This will allow vertical mobility because it has multiple entry and exit points. This means that if students complete three years and leave, they will still get their degrees. Moreover, they go on to pursue their Masters and will even be eligible for Ph.D. under the new Ph.D. regulations.

-Dr. Pankaj Arora, Dean of the Department of Education

Featured Image Credits : The Indian Express

Manvi Goel
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Campus Central

Delhi University to Introduce B.Tech Courses Starting August

By Sri Sidhvi Dindi June 11, 2023

In a meeting held by the executive council, the university is all set to introduce B. Tech courses for the
academic year 2023-24 from August. Three courses will be offered with an intake capacity of 120
students for each programme.

Starting in August, Delhi University (DU) will offer engineering courses for students to pursue for the
academic year 2023-24. The courses will range from B.Tech degrees in Computer Science and Engineering; Electronics and Communication Engineering; and Electrical Engineering. The total intake capacity of the students will be 360, consisting of 120 for each program. Admissions under the B.Tech course will be conducted on the basis of JEE scores Mains score. The course structure, credit distribution and syllabi for the first two semesters have been finalized by the executive council.

On Friday, 9 June 2023, in a meeting presented before the executive council, the new course structure received approval. Earlier in April, the Ministry of Education also approved the introduction of 72 teaching and 48 non-teaching posts for the new programmes in April.

In 2021, a committee had been deliberately set up by the University to introduce new courses.

“The committee held several meetings in the last one-and-half years and systematically deliberated upon various issues within its terms of reference to facilitate the initiation of the three BTech programmes under the Faculty of Technology in the emerging subject areas of computer science and engineering, electronics and communication engineering and electrical engineering,” an official stated in reference to the report submitted by the panel.

The committee suggested adequate infrastructural facilities for the classrooms and laboratories be
arranged until the Faculty of Technology building is fully functional.

“The committee authorized the vice-chancellor to decide upon the space and other essential physical
infrastructure for initiation of these B. Tech programmes,” the report stated.

The course structure is designed in such a manner that a minimum 50% weightage will be applicable to the major area of study with a maximum of 65% weighable. The rest will be applicable towards the minor area of study. In accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP), students will be provided with multiple exit options. A student who has successfully completed one year of study and earned the requisite credits will receive a certificate. Two years of successful completion of the required credits will earn the student a diploma and three years of successful completion along with the required credits will earn an advanced diploma. Students who have successfully completed the required credits for four years will be awarded a Bachelor’s in Technology degree.

In line with the introduction of new programmes, the executive council approved the introduction of the four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) for the academic session 2023-24. The ITEP will replace the current Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) programme.

Featured Image Credits: Devesh for DU Beat

Sri Sidhvi Dindi
[email protected]

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Campus Central

DTF Holds Press Conference to Discuss DU’s Proposal of Implementing ITEP

By DU Beat May 25, 2023

The Democratic Teachers’ Front comes forward with criticism and highlights hasty decision-making with regard to the implementation of Integrated Teacher Education Programme by the DU Academic Council.

A press conference was organised on 24^th May 2023 at the Press Club by the Democratic Teachers’ Front to highlight concerns and discuss the impact of Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) by the varsity. This conference comes ahead of the Delhi University Academic Council’s meeting to be held on Friday, 26^th May 2023 regarding the implementation of ITEP.

ITEP is a flagship four-year “dual-major holistic undergraduate degree” of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) under NEP 2020. ITEP will be replacing DU’s Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) programme which was introduced in 1994. Currently, only eight colleges offer this programme which is unique to the varsity – Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women, Jesus and Mary College, Mata Sundari College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Gargi College, Miranda House, Institute of Home Economics, and Lady Shri Ram College for Women. Out of these, the former three institutions have been granted permission by NCTE to offer ITEP in the upcoming 2023-24 academic year. Admissions to the same will be done through an entrance exam conducted by NTA instead of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET).

The design of the ITEP is based on the design of teacher preparation stated in the NEP 2020. It combines rigorous educational understanding, disciplinary depth and a strong focus on school practice while taking into account existing ground realities.

Reads the Agenda for the Academic Council’s meeting.

This proposal has met scathing criticism from educators who question the legitimacy, lack of syllabus and hasty decision making behind the programme. Key addressors at the press conference included Prof. Poonam Batra (former Faculty member, CIE, DU), Prof Anita Rampal (former Dean Faculty of Education, CIE, DU) and faculties from the eight colleges currently offering B.El.Ed.

The ITEP differs from the existing programme in two key areas – minimum Faculty qualification and programme structure. Teacher groups have alleged that the B.El.Ed is ‘internationally-recognised’ and ‘has successfully trained close to 10,000 teachers’. The ITEP curriculum on the other hand will follow three years of general education followed by one year of rigorous professional training. Educators have also come forward with criticism about the declining qualification standards for teaching the new programme.

This dilution of faculty qualification and a standardised homogenised curriculum indicates a deep dilution of the standards required to prepare school teachers. A common curriculum to educate teachers across diverse cultures, communities and languages of India will not prepare them to teach in diverse classrooms and hence will make them ineffective.

– Dr. S.Ram, a teacher at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi.

Questions have also been raised on the impact of this programme on the ongoing ad-hoc crisis and other temporary faculty in the varsity. With strict NCTE norms about the curriculum and exit options, the University’s autonomy about such decisions also comes under fire.

Closing down a well reputed programme such as the BElEd is not only illegal, it is also, academically and professionally irrational. The University should come clear on why it is coercing colleges to replace the BElEd with ITEP?

– reads the Official Press Release of DTF dated 24^th May 2023.

Several independent educators and other teacher groups, both within Delhi University and outside have come forward with their disapproval of the programme.

By comparison with the B.El.Ed. program at Delhi University, ITEP thus represents a significant dumbing down. It reflects a conception of the teacher as a mere conduit for delivering pre-approved subject content, rather than as a socially responsible and autonomous professional capable of interpreting and adapting the curriculum and inspiring her pupils.

– a letter addressed to DU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Yogesh Singh by Edward Vickers, UNESCO chair professor on Education for Peace, Social Justice and Global Citizenship, Kyushu University, Japan dated 25^th May 2023.

Featured Image Credits – DTF

Bhavya Nayak

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DUB News

DU and Ambedkar University Collaborate to Share Resources

By DU Beat May 20, 2023

Delhi University embarked on a new journey after signing an MoU with Ambedkar University in order to share resources with each other in sync with NEP.

On Thursday, May 18, the University of Delhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the optimum utilisation of their resources with one another. Both universities have agreed to work together in areas of research, extension activities, student and faculty exchange, consultancy, and outreach. Officials reportedly agreed to maintain a common ground by allocating libraries, sports grounds, research laboratories, seminar halls, auditoriums, etc. for students and staff of both universities.

Due to proximity, the collaboration can explore the possibility of mobility of students between the two universities. It will help students study courses/papers offered in the collaborating university and their credit transfer as well as issuance of a certificates.

– DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh

The Vice Chancellor also proposed to conduct joint PhD programmes for the students to get the best opportunities under the co-supervision of both universities. The universities will work on emerging areas like the impact of artificial intelligence on social sciences and promote research in the fields of science and technology.

Committed to academic partnerships and collaborations with other institutions, the goal of Ambedkar University is to become a Multidisciplinary Education Research University in alignment with the objectives of NEP 2020. Vice Chancellor of Ambedkar University, Prof. Anu Singh Lather, said that the University is committed to the ideals of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar by bridging equality and social justice with excellence.

We are working on becoming a Multidisciplinary Education Research University (MERU) and have recently signed MoUs with GGSIP University, NSUT, DTU, NLU-D.

– AUD Vice Chancellor Prof. Lather

Prof. Lather added that AUD’s mission is to create sustainable and effective linkages between access and success in higher education. The MoU will be a step towards fulfilling this purpose.

Featured Image Credits: B.R. Ambedkar University Website

Aanya Mehta
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Admissions

A Guide to DU’s Admission Procedure 2019

By DU Beat June 2, 2019

The University of Delhi (DU) has begun the online registrations for admission to various undergraduate (UG) courses. Here is a guide to help aspiring students.

DU offers various UG courses in different colleges. The admission procedure for these colleges is common, except for St. Stephen’s College and Jesus and Mary College, which have a separate admission procedure. The admission portal for 2019 opened on 30^th May. Following are the steps that are to be followed for the admission process:

Note: Applicants must apply only through the common application form for admission to the undergraduate programmes (both entrance and merit-based).

Registration

The students have to go the Admission Portal at https://du.ac.in and click on the link for ‘New Registration’. The students will then be asked to enter their Central Board of School Education (CBSE) – or any other board – roll number, email ID, and phone numbers which will be saved for further procedure and forms. This information cannot be changed further.

Image Credits: University of Delhi

Filling the form

The registration form is to be filled by students with extreme care and involves information regarding 9 different subparts.

Image Credits: University of Delhi

Personal – Personal information includes place of living, studying, etc. Family information and quota details are also to be filled.
Academic – The roll number and marks obtained in various subjects for respective boards are to be filled. Those who have not yet received their examination marks can just fill the board exam details and roll number.
Merit-Based – The applicant has to choose his/her favoured courses out of the plethora of merit-based courses offered by the University like B. Com, B.Sc. and B.A courses.
Entrance Based – DU offers the following courses in which admission is rewarded through entrance examination to be conducted by the National Testing Agency. The students will have to pay extra fees for each entrance-based test they apply for.

A. (Honours) Business Economics [BA(H)BE]
Bachelor of Management Studies [BMS]
Bachelor of Business Administration (Financial Investment Analysis) [BBA(FIA)]
Tech. (Information Technology and Mathematical Innovations) [BTech(IT&MI)]- CIC
A. (Hons.) Humanities and Social Sciences [BA(H)HSS]- CIC
Bachelor of Elementary Education [B.El.Ed]
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Health Education & Sports [BSc(PE, HE&S)]
A. (Honours) Multimedia and Mass Communication [BA(H)MMC]
Five Year Integrated Programme in Journalism [5YIPJ]
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Percussion Music (Tabla/Pakhawaj)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Karnatak Music- Vocal/Instrumental (Veena/ Violin)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Hindustani MusicVocal/Instrumental (Sitar/Sarod/Guitar/Violin/Santoor)

Sports – Applicants seeking admission through Sports Quota can apply through a maximum of three sports. An additional fee of INR 100 is charged for admission through Sports Quota. The students can either seek admission through Super Category: Admission without Sports Trial which involves National representation in specified World Events or via Admission on the Basis of Sports Trial which involves 40 marks for certificates and 60 marks for trial performance.
ECA – Applicants seeking admission through Extra Curricular Activity (ECA) Quota have to upload only one best achievement certificate in their chosen category. Each student may register only through three ECA Categories. An additional fee of INR 100 is charged for registration through this category.
Uploads – This section is specifically for uploading several admissions related, academic and identity documents which include the following.

Passport size photograph of the applicant (10-50 kb in size for upload in jpg/jpeg/png format).
Scanned signature of the applicant (10-50 kb in size for upload in jpg/jpeg/png format).
Self -Attested Class X certificate/marksheet containing Date of Birth (100-500 kb in size for upload in jpg/jpeg/png format).
Self -Attested Class XII Mark Sheet, if results have been announced. (In case the Marksheet has not been issued by the Board, a self-attested copy of the Marksheet downloaded from the respective Board’s website should be uploaded). (100-500 kb in size for upload in jpg/jpeg/png format).
SC/ST/PwD/CW/KM Certificate (in the name of the Applicant) issued by the competent authority (100-500 kb in size for upload in jpg/jpeg/png format).
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate (in the name of the applicant) issued on or after March 31, 2019. The OBC caste must be included in Central list issued by the Government of India. http://ncbc.nic.in. (100-500 kb for upload in jpg/jpeg/png format).
EWS Certificate issued by Sub District Magistrate, certifying the applicant can claim reservation under this category, dated March 31, 2019, or later. (100-500 kb in size for upload in jpg/jpeg/png format)
Self-attested copies of Sports and/or ECA certificates. (100-500 kb in size per document for upload in jpg/jpeg/png format), if applying under these categories.

Preview – The applicants can see a final preview of their application herein and confirm all the filled details.
Payment – In this last section, the students can initiate the final payment post which their registration will be complete. The payment is as follows.

Registration fee for merit-based courses for UR/OBC – INR 250
Registration fee for SC/ST/PwD/EWS INR – 100
Additional registration fee for ECA/Sports INR – 100
Additional registration fee for each entrance-based course for UR/OBC INR – 750
Additional registration fee for each entrance-based course for SC/ST/PwD/EWS INR – 300

All the aspiring students are requested to check the Undergraduate Bulletin of Information available on the University website which provides in-depth knowledge about the admission process. The varsity is also conducting open sessions for the benefit of the students. The next sessions will take place on 3rd and 8th June at Conference Centre, Arts Faculty, North Campus.

Feature Image Credits: University of Delhi

Sakshi Arora

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Arts & Culture

Weighing the Academic Shelf: DU Courses Unbalanced with Gender Disparity?

By Niharika Dabral August 14, 2017

Courses like the Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) and B.Sc. Home Science are only available to women, while girls’ colleges continue to dominate the available seats in Psychology.

With females venturing in male-dominated spaces and vice versa, our workspaces are slowly but steadily becoming gender-neutral. However, it seems that the University of Delhi (DU) is still perpetuating (and encouraging) gender stereotypes – even in 2017.

As of now, there are only five out of twelve colleges co-educational colleges in DU which offer an undergraduate degree in Psychology. None of the five options available for boys hold high reputation, whereas girls have the option of studying the subject at prestigious institutions such as Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) and Jesus and Mary College (JMC). The limited number of seats and absence of good colleges deter boys from studying Psychology from DU and ultimately, they have to seek admission in expensive private colleges. Anuradha Das Mathur, the Founding Dean of the Vedica Scholars Programme for Women, writes in an essay, “The benefits of diversity are as critical in the classroom as they are in the workplace. In areas influenced by psychology, the absence of men brings along even more exaggerated risks.”

While the situation is bad in Psychology, it is even worse (hopeless) in the elementary education programme. The Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), a four-year integrated professional degree programme which qualifies a student to practice as teachers at the elementary school level, is currently available at eight colleges – none of which are co-ed.

University of Delhi colleges that offer B.El.Ed.

Aditi Mahavidyalaya
Gargi College
Institute of Home Economics
Jesus & Mary College
Lady Shri Ram College for Women
Mata Sundari College
Miranda House
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College

There are very good chances that during school we addressed more teachers as ‘ma’am’ as compared to the seldom-used ‘sir.’ Teaching is one such field where the male-female ratio is almost equal (as of 2011, 45.5% of teachers in schools are women). Teaching is believed to be ideal for women because the short working hours, holidays, and statutory work environment make it convenient for them to manage household responsibilities alongside their job. Also, stereotypical feminine traits like motherly affection and patience are associated with teaching. This is the reason why more and more women take up teaching as a career, but just because a career path is often charted by certain gender norms, this shouldn’t be an excuse for the public-funded educational institutions to limit the access for another gender.

Just like B.El.Ed, there are no DU colleges that offer Home Science to boys. Currently, only two all-girls’ colleges – the Institute of Home Economics and Lady Irwin College – teach B.Sc. (Hons.) Home Science. In popular culture, Home Science as a subject has been described as “cooking or stitching,” a course that teaches you how to be a good housewife. People often overlook that a Home Science student can very well be a nutritionist, dietician, counsellor, or a textile specialist. It’s true that enriched prejudices and clichés are reasons which deter boys from pursuing Home Science, but the lack of seats/colleges shouldn’t be one.

Yatin Arora, a hotel management and catering student of Ansal University says “I had Home Science in class 12th, and I wanted to study it further. However, there were no options available for me in the University of Delhi. The girls who scored less than me in Home Science have secured seats in Lady Irwin College, while I’m studying in a private college.”

It is indisputable that we need more female engineers and scientists, but we also want more boys in the capacity of therapists and crèche owners. The idea that culinary art, elementary education, and psychology are women-oriented fields is a patriarchal construct. The University of Delhi, as a progressive-feminist space, shouldn’t reinforce these gender stereotypes by segregating some so-called feminine courses from interested male students.

Feature Image Credits: The Next Regeneration

Niharika Dabral

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Admissions 2017

Students complain of several lapses in procedures before the entrance exams

By Radhika Boruah July 2, 2017

Thousands of students appeared for the entrance of some of the undergraduate courses which were conducted the University of Delhi. However, some faced various difficulties at various stages of the application process. Students faced various problems related to application fee payment which did not reflect in the portal, furthermore trouble loading the admit cards and missing dates of the entrance exam were among other challenges. Hence, many applicants were seen at the undergraduate admissions help desk and at the grievance cell on Saturday, complaining that they have been facing difficulties with the procedures.

One of the aspirants Tanya Malik, a B.El.Ed applicant who had paid her application fees for the entrance based courses said she was unsure if she would be able to take the test. Talking to national daily she said, “I have been trying to contact the university for more than three days now. I have emailed them, and even tried calling. They usually tell you to wait for a reply to the email when you call them, but my entrance test is on Sunday and I can’t view or download my admit card.” “All issues related to admit cards have been resolved,” said Ashutosh Bhardwaj, OSD admissions at DU after the grievances were filed in the cell.

“All issues related to admit cards have been resolved,” said Ashutosh Bhardwaj, OSD admissions at DU after the grievances were filed in the cell.

Several students also complained that ‘complete’ information is not available anywhere. Students who applied for the entrance exam of B.A. (H) Music need to visit the Music department’s website to view the schedule of entrance exams because the dates were missing in the exam portal. Delhi University is going to conduct a practical admission test at the Department of Music for B.A. (H) Music applicants which will be held on July 4 and 5.

Radhika Boruah
[email protected]

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Admissions 2017

Registration for DU entrance-based courses to begin from tomorrow

By Saumya Kalia June 15, 2017

Every year, the University of Delhi offers two branches of admissions to undergraduate aspirants. The merit-based courses are administered through the release of cut-offs, while the entrance-based courses undertake candidates through an entrance test and the conduction of a GD-PI process in some courses. This year, the entrance-based registrations were scheduled to commence from May 31^st. However, after a delay of 15 days, the registration portal will become operational from June 16^th, at 6:00 p.m.

The courses administered through entrance examinations are as follows:

B.A. (Hons.) Business Economics
Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS)
Bachelor of Business Administration (Financial Investment Analysis) (BBA (FIA))
B.A. (Hons.) Humanities and Social Sciences
B.Tech. (Information Technology and Mathematical Innovation)
Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
B.Sc. Physical Education, Health Education, and Sports (B.Sc. (P.E.H.E.&S.))
B.A. (Hons.) Multimedia and Mass Communication
B.A. (Hons.) Music

The entrance tests will be conducted in 18 cities and will be online computer-based. The entrance test for B.A. (Hons.) Music will be based on a practical admission entrance test, which will be held in the Department of Music, Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi.

The merit-based undergraduate admissions portal became functional on May 22^nd, with the registration ending on June 13^th, 2017. The cut-off lists are scheduled to be announced starting from June 24^th.

You can access the link to the entrance-based admissions portal here.

Feature Image Credits: University of Delhi

Saumya Kalia
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Admissions 2016

DU Admissions 2016 : BE/BBA top choice for entrance-based courses

By Shubham Kaushik June 2, 2016

Delhi University had launched online admissions for six undergraduate entrance-based courses on May 13, and started online applications for merit-based courses on June 1. The response to both applications has been overwhelming.

More than 30,900 applicants had successfully registered through DU’s online portal within the first six hours of the launch of the portal on June 1 for merit-based admissions. Of the 30,900 registered, 5600 had completed the entire registration process along with the online payment of the registration fees. This year, the admission fee for colleges will also be paid online, making the admissions process entirely digital for the first time.

Registration for entrance-based undergraduation courses ended on May 31 with a total of more than 54,000 applicants. The female applicants outweighed the applicants of other categories, with more than 30,000 of them, as compared to around 24,000 male applicants and 4 of the ‘Other’ gender. Among the offered courses, B.A (H) Business Economics and BBA emerged as the top choice with nearly 23,000 applications. The second rank course, B.El.Ed, received around 10,800 applications.

For more information on the undergraduate merit-based admissions, read:

From Dates to Docs: Your complete guide to the UG 2016 Admission Process

Open Day 1: Important things to keep in mind

Shubham Kaushik

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