Prof. Ved Prakash
Chairperson,
University Grants Commission,
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
New Delhi – 110002
24.4. 2015
Dear Sir,
We write to you to express our concern over the fact that the MHRD and the UGC have asked all universities to implement a Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) from the start of the next academic session in July 2015. On 10 April 2015, the UGC has also put out a Public Notice on the Minimum Course Curriculum for Undergraduate Courses under CBCS and sought feedback from stakeholders within 15 days. The experience in Delhi University with the introduction of the FYUP and its subsequent roll-back shows that “reforms” brought about without debate and discussion on its feasibility and desirability would have disastrous consequences. The unseemly haste with which yet another reform in the form of the CBCS is sought to be pushed is alarming.
The CBCS was not discussed at the level of any statutory body in the University of Delhi. It was merely reported as a Reporting Item in the last AC meeting and deemed as adopted against dissents submitted by 15 out of 26 elected teacher-representatives in the Academic Council.
The DUTA had circulated the UGC Guidelines on Implementation of CBCS and sought feedback from Staff Associations and 30 colleges have sent in their resolutions totally rejecting or opposing the CBCS. [The resolutions are available at: https://duta.live2015/04/staff-association-resolutions-on-cbcs.html and the hardcopy of the same is appended] Despite the fact that the time given for feedback was very limited, given that teachers and students are busy with finishing the course and examinations, more than 30 colleges have responded and sent in the feedback. More colleges are in the process of finalizing feedback which will be uploaded and made available at the link given above.
Please also find attached the Resolution adopted by the DUTA Executive, in its meeting held on 15 April 2015 which details the issues. It is imperative that there be a debate on what “reforms” in universities should entail. An audit on existing infrastructure in universities is a must as is a review of the semester system that has led to a severe erosion of the academic quality of the undergraduate programme in Delhi University.
The imposition of the Common Central Universities Bill, 2013 is also a cause for concern as it completely disregards academic autonomy and diversity of universities. Amongst other objections against the Bill, the CBCS, Semester System, Credit Transfer, Students’ and Faculty Mobility and Joint Programmes with other universities have been drafted into the mandatory clauses of the ‘Act’ [Chapter 5, Clause 9 (D)], thus violating the institutional autonomy which allows through collective wisdom, the right of the academic community of a central university to determine the best structure and mode of academic programmes as may be suited to its own educational needs and objectives.
We hope that the feedback given by the DUTA will provide a basis for dialogue with all stakeholders so that the concerns regarding the current challenges facing Higher Education in India can be addressed meaningfully.
With regards,
| NANDITA NARAIN President, DUTA |
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https://duta.live
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