CBCS being hastily pushed: DU teachers write to UGC

A section of Delhi University teachers have written to the UGC raising concerns over the implementation of a Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) from upcoming academic session saying it was being "hastily pushed".
Writing to the University Grants Commission, the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) today conveyed academicians' concern on the issue and said "reforms" brought without discussion have proved "disastrous".
"We write to you to express our concern over the fact that the MHRD and the UGC have asked all universities to implement CBCS from the start of the next academic session in July 2015. On April 10, 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," DUTA President Nandita Narain said in a letter to UGC Chairman Ved Prakash.

"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," she added.
The varsity teachers have also raised concerns about the imposition of Common Central Universities Bill, 2013 and opined that it will disregard academic autonomy and diversity of universities.
"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... 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," Narain said.

"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," she added.
Calling it a "cafeteria approach", UGC had instructed all the central universities to go ahead with implementation of CBCS, which enables students to opt for courses of their choice, learn at their own pace, undergo additional courses and acquire more than the required credits and adopt an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

DU had also passed the implementation of the scheme from upcoming academic session, in the Academic Council (AC) last year but HRD ministry had questioned the varsity's preparations for the same.