Plea for DU's four-year programme rollback reaches president

The plea for rollback of Delhi University's four year undergraduate programme reached President Pranab Mukherjee, as the varsity's teacher's association has written to him seeking annulment of the ordinance related to it.

"Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) have written to the visitor of Delhi University, President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking annulment of fyup under the powers vested in him under Section 31(6) of the Delhi University Act," Nandita Naraian, DUTA president, said at a press conference.

The teachers' association along with several student groups have been protesting against the programme since last year and this year further these protests have intensified, with the hope that new government will revoke it.

"In the letter to the President we have pointed out that the programme has been introduced without due application of law and in blatant violation of Delhi University Act 1922," added Narain.

In a letter addressed to the President the DUTA members have highlighted that the varsity does not have adequate infrastructural facilities in the campus, like laboratories, libraries and a proper teacher-student ratio, needed for the change.

"In the letter, we have notified to him that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has also not fulfilled its responsibility, as approval to the structure and course of fyup was given, though it was not sought from it six months prior to commencement," she said.

While the members have been demanding for the rollback they have also an alternative plan in the interest of the students who have also spent one year under the programme.

We have made proposals for the redistribution to the courses within four years so as to enable the students to exit after three years, with an honours degree should they wish to. The fourth year would be optional," said Narain.

The roll back is being demanded as according to them the programme is academically poor and the students are not happy with it.