Following reports on implementation of CBCS in Delhi University on 4 May 2015, which highlighted that the necessary statutory clearances have not been taken, the Registrar, DU did a Press Release on 4 May 2015 claiming that the implementation of CBCS has all the necessary statutory approvals. This is contrary to the facts, supported by the official draft minutes put out by the University administration itself (copy attached, resolution 59, see page 189).
In the meeting of the Academic Council held on 21.1.2015, the VC reported a letter dated 14.11.2004 from the MHRD Secretary which sought introduction of a certain “Choice Based Credit System” (CBCS) from the academic year 2015-16, whose outlines were provided by a set of guidelines framed by the UGC. In the same meeting he also reported that on 28.11.2014 he had constituted a committee on the subject of the CBCS in pursuance of that letter. No report or account of the deliberations of the committee was presented. In the same meeting, without any discussion and not caring for the fact that there was no time to examine the issues involved, the AC resolved under “ANY OTHER MATTER WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CHAIR”, with 17 members recording their dissent, resolved to implement semester based CBCS at undergraduate level from 2015-16. The AC did not clarify what the CBCS entailed.
Notwithstanding the considerations which led to such a resolution by the AC in a manner and in a time frame that does not meet minimal academic norms, the VC did not inform any of the statutory bodies such as the Faculties and the Committees of Courses, which are supposed to have the academic expertise and competence to study the issues involved. The academic sincerity and seriousness of the VC is reflected by the fact that a letter was sent out more than three months later on 29.4.2015 to the Heads of Department to initiate course restructuring and directing that even that had to conform to guidelines and model syllabi appearing on UGC website. No such decision was taken by the AC. The AC does not have the expertise to draft courses and syllabi. The administration may wrongly claim a perverse interpretation of the statutes that the AC has the power to decide such matters and that the AC has the power to approve his decisions. The lack of concern for academics and students is evident in attempting wholesale restructuring in such a short time and wasting three more months to force a ridiculous / farcical academic exercise.
The DUTA expresses its anguish at the falsification of facts as evidenced in the DU Press Release, which is consistent with the complete abdication of responsibility shown by the DU authorities in this matter.
The DUTA has called a General Body Meeting tomorrow, 6th May, at the Arts faculty Gate, at 11.30 am, in which the teachers of Delhi University will express their collective understanding about the CBCS and Common Central Universities Bill, 2013.
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