Date: 29.12.2022
Press Note
Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) wants to categorically state that it does not see the developments of recent times on the attempt of curtailment of teaching positions in DU and other IHEs by the UGC, and DU Administration in isolation. Both are working in tandem to deny the additional teaching position requirements to meet a 25% increase in students’ strengths on account of EWS reservation expansion and the additional 4th year of the newly proposed UGCF programme. This has adversely affected the teaching-learning, research and appointment related processes, not just in Delhi University but across all Indian universities along with the entire education system itself. Delhi University Administration in line with the University Grants Commission guidelines has recently issued a notification on "Batch Size of Class/Tutorial/Practical & 40 Hours of teaching and Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes” and another notification on Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate (Under NEP) by UGC through a public notice, dated 12.12.2022 asking all the Higher Educational Institutes to adopt the Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes. Both these notifications are too rigid for the teaching-learning environment throughout the country as well as the Delhi University as they do not give flexibility and freedom either to the academic administration/ teachers or to the students to work in a congenial atmosphere. Further, the reduction of credits in the proposed UGCF from 148 to 120 is a direct dilution of the academic environment in the whole country.
Needless to state that these two notifications by DU, dated 11.11.2022 and 14.11.2022, are going to affect the entire academic environment and teaching-learning process. The increased teachers taught ratio in Class/Practical/Tutorial is also going to negatively affect the DU academic and teaching positions.
DUTA is opposed to any such academic dilution in terms of credits and the structure. DUTA is also opposed to withdrawal of the three year flagship Honours courses of Delhi University. Thus, DUTA reiterates its demands on the following two points:
On the Batch/Tutorial/Practical Size:
1. Function of a Tutorial/Practical is to train students in the context of study programmes, using resources (e.g. texts etc.), the organization and presentation of materials, reaching conclusions by independent thinking and competent communication.
2. A Tutorial/ Practical should neither repeat nor make parallel lectures delivered in a course, but rather it should aim at developing the interests, capabilities, spirit of training and initiation of each individual student into active learning, which should lead the Tutorial/Practical groups to be as small as possible.
3. Minimum number of Tutorial Batches should not be less than the number of theory credit hours in any paper.
4. The current physical infrastructure of most of the colleges support the above mentioned Tutorial/Practical/Class Size, not the one proposed by the University.
5. DU Administration and UGC have failed in providing any additional grants with respect to the increased number of class/practical/tutorial.
On the Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes:
1. DUTA demands the restoration of the 3-year Hons Flagship course of Delhi University.
2. In 4-year Bachelor's degree (Honours with research), the compulsory securing of 7.5 CGPA for the students is a too rigid approach as UGC has failed to address the socially backward population of the country which lacks proper infrastructure and development for their advanced studies and materials.
3. On the issue of major & minor disciplines, the 50% of the total credits secured from the core courses is too less. It should thus be increased and made flexible also.
4. A 3-year UG degree programme in the major discipline with 120 credits is also an attempt of academic dilution in contrast with the earlier 148 credits.
5. On the issue of infrastructural requirements for the departments offering 4-year UG degree (Honours with research), the UGC has failed to provide grants for the proposed degree courses.
6. On the proposed Tutorial courses, DUTA would like to propose 10-12 tutorial group size and 15 for practical group size.
Therefore, DUTA, on the two aforementioned issues, categorically opposes any such design which affects the academic environment of DU as well as of the country. DUTA is of the strongest opinion that the two notifications are meant to cut down the 25% EWS expansion seats as well as to derail the ongoing appointment process in DU.
DUTA thus warns both DU Administration and the UGC to reconsider their decisions on workload norms in the interest of academics and teaching appointments, failing which DUTA is ready for any protracted struggle by mobilizing the Staff Associations of all DU colleges.
(Prof A K Bhagi) (Dr Surender Singh)
President, DUTA Secretary, DUTA
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