New Delhi, May 7 (ANI): Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday said the Parliament should be consulted before taking a decision to introduce a four-year graduation course in Delhi University (DU).
"Delhi University is a university established by the act of Parliament. And any major changes of this nature I think ought to be properly discussed in the Parliament. Though they have the autonomy, there is no difference of opinion on that. But any major change that happens in a country's premier university established by the act of Parliament, the Parliament ought to have been consulted," said Yechury.
"I have moved a special mention in the Rajya Sabha, which was admitted. But because of the disruption of the house, it could not be discussed," he added.
Yechury further said a memorandum signed by 36 Members of Parliament have been sent to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention in this matter.
"And today, we have sent a memorandum signed by 36 MPs and many more would have signed it to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention because the basic point is all over the country you have a system of schooling and college education based on 10+2+3. This is the universal system that there is in the country," said Yechury.
"Now, in one premier university you are going to change it to10+2+4. This is going to create a lot of disruption according to us. Why would any student want to come to Delhi University to get honours degree after four years when he can get the same honours degree in three years in any other university in the country. And by doing this sort of a change and by bringing it up so hastily, it is not been properly thought through. Secondly, it also violates a UGC guideline," he added.
Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister M.M. Pallam Raju earlier last week said the Delhi University is going to start a four-year graduation course from the coming academic session.
In a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on May 3, he said, according to the information furnished by the University of Delhi, under the programme, there is a provision of awarding diverse degrees, including diploma, bachelor degree and honours degree on the completion of two, three and four years, respectively.
The programme provides flexibility to the students to exit after two and three years and such students can return within a span of ten years, if otherwise eligible, to complete the degree and/or honours degree.
The courses under the new four-year undergraduate programme comprise Foundation Courses (11 in number), compulsory for all students to be taught in the first four semesters in order to strengthen their educational base; Discipline Courses I (20 in number) which are subject specific courses promoting in-depth knowledge; Discipline Courses II (6 in number) meant for students who wish to gain 'minor' knowledge of a subject other than Discipline I; Application Courses which are skill based - Integrating Mind, Body and Heart and Cultural Activities leading to value-based education and NSS/NCC/Sports which encourages physical fitness as well as engagement with the community.
The university has informed the Ministry that the four-year undergraduate programme aims at knowledge development, which cuts across the domains of traditional courses, as well as skill and value-building. It requires the students of all disciplines to undertake certain mandatory courses to meet the needs and challenges of the modern society and the nation. It is designed in such a way that it blends practical application with high-end knowledge, facilitating the students either to seek jobs, to become entrepreneurs or to undertake research.
A comprehensive curriculum like this requires four years to transact them properly and facilitate its absorption by the students for their all-round holistic growth.
The university has informed the Ministry that the Academic Council (AC) had resolved five years back to hold wide consultation for introducing 4 year dual subject honours degree course. University held extensive consultation with various stakeholders, such as students, parents, teachers, Deans of faculty, Heads of Departments, Principals of Colleges, employers etc. over a period of two years.
All stakeholders were in favour of rectifying the ills of the existing programme and making it relevant for the students by addressing the contemporary needs of the society. In the process of consultation, an Open Academic Congress was also held on September 6-7, 2012, which was attended by over 1400 stakeholders, which recommended introduction of the four-year undergraduate programme. (ANI)
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