Delhi
University- an institution of excellence known not only in the country but
worldwide for its premier colleges whether its St. Stephens, Hindu, SRCC,
Hansraj, Jesus and Mary and the list goes on. Among the rare few whose degrees
hold huge credibility and every year millions of students shed their blood and
sweat to get through its tough selection procedure. The university known for producing
world-class leaders, entrepreneurs and well-known personalities seemed to be
preparing for its doom in the coming future. Yes, as India’s premier university
prepares to shift from the current three year degree form to the four year
undergraduate programme, critics across the spectrum are highly sceptical of
the move.
Form July
this year, which is hardly a few months away from now, the fate of millions of
students and the University of Delhi will undergo a big makeover. The
undergraduate programme will make a shift from its current three year degree to
a four year one and as a result no more B.A, B.Sc. or B.Com degrees will be
available. As per the latest developments, multiple degrees will be offered
within the single stream i.e. Associate Baccalaureate (after 2 years), Baccalaureate
(3 years) and Baccalaureate with Honours (4 years). The university allegedly
rushed to change its undergraduate degree without adequate wider consultations.
The
university will now, irrespective of one’s previous background or choice of
stream/subject, enforce all students to take 11 foundation courses, which will
occupy most of their time in the first two years. These include two courses on
‘Language and Creativity’ (one in English and the other in Hindi or another
Modern Indian language), ‘Information Technology’, ‘Business, Entrepreneurship
and Management’, ‘Governance and Citizenship’, ‘Psychology, Communication and
Life Skills’, ‘Geographic and Socio-economic Diversity’, ‘Science and Life’,
‘History, Culture and Civilisation’, ‘Building Mathematical Ability’ and
‘Environmental and Public Health’. Needless to say, all these courses need to
be pitched at a level that can be understood by anyone with a basic school
qualification.
Let us
consider the Arts students nightmare subject, ‘Building Mathematical Ability’
into consideration. It must be comprehensible to a student who has not done
Mathematics at the 10+2 level and could therefore make it too basic to retain
the interests of the students who have already done it in school. What is the
logic behind forcing these relatively basic courses on all students? And who
will teach it to them, given the fact that the structures of these courses have
still not been made public and are unknown to the college professors
themselves. At the end of two years, students who would have completed mostly
these courses and five others in some disciplines can leave with an ‘Associate
Baccalaureate’ degree. Who will recognise such degrees and give them jobs and
of what sort?
Even after
completing three years, during which students will be exposed to two non-credit
based courses on ‘Integrating Mind, Body and Heart’ that will be spread over a
full academic year, what would be the worth if such a Baccalaureate degree that
contains just a few courses specializing in any discipline? The four year
programme contains 20 courses in a ‘major’ discipline, six courses in a ‘minor’
discipline, five courses in ‘Application’ and six courses devoted to ‘Cultural
Activities’. The only choice for the students is in terms major and minor
disciplines: thereafter, everything is given. So contrary to the claims, the
proposals actually dumb down the programme and ultimately reduce the choice of
the students.
In the wake
of insufficient infrastructure, concerned faculties and proper course structures,
such a hasty decision has come under the huge criticisms from every end.
Currently as many as 4,000 teaching posts are vacant, with the work actually
being done by ad hoc or ‘guest’ lecturers. The increase in the cost to students
and society of funding an extra year of undergraduate studies has not been
dwelt upon, nor has it been weighed against the supposed or assumed benefits.
It is no wonder that so many faculty members of departments and colleges are up
in arms. But those who have raised questions and protested are being threatened
and victimised in various ways. The Teachers’ Association, DUTA, has also being
side-lined and repressed in this issue.
The issue is
of utmost importance to the nation now. CPI (M) Politburo Member, Sitaram
Yechury is also expected to raise this issue in the parliament. If things
continue in similar fashion, it would make a mockery of undergraduate education
in one of the most reputable institutions of the country. Wider consultation
about the issue countrywide is crucial for the better future of half-million
students of this pinnacle of excellence. In an attempt to gift itself a
makeover, the University of Delhi seems to be digging its own grave.
For all
sorts of bouquets and brickbats, feel free to leave a message below or mail at author.vish94@gmail.com
