'Unhealthy for education system to tell a VC what he should do

Government today said it has no intention to intervene into the decision of Delhi University to introduce the four-year undergraduate programme from its coming academic session starting July this year.
Minister of State for HRD Shashi Tharoor said it is not "healthy" for the country's education system to tell a vice- chancellor what to do and not to do.
"The proposal (to introduce the new undergraduate programme) is not my decision. It is taken by the university and it is within its prerogative. I said it was inappropriate for me to overrule it. It is not healthy for our education system to tell a VC what he should do or not do. If the academic council said 'we disagree with the VC', he could not have gone his way.

"All we can do in the Ministry is to see due process is followed," Tharoor said during an interaction on 'Google Hangout'.
His reaction came in the wake of the new undergraduate programme generating controversy with a section of teachers and students opposing it.
"We must confine ourselves to broader policy issues," Tharoor said, replying to queries on whether the ministry should intervene on the issue.

He appeared to support the programme saying as time changes, so does the system and every change involves certain number of resistance. "The programme will give more flexibility to students to do course," he said.

The Minister could not hide his disappointment over the frequent adjournment of Parliament which had resulted in stalling of key legislations on higher education.
The passage of the Bills, he said, would not only lead to expansion of the sector but ensure quality and stop corruption and duping of students.
"Whatever the government may be doing, Opposition is disrupting the Parliament. They have not been voted for this. Their disgraceful behaviour to disrupt the House is betrayal of the voters and discrediting democracy," he said.
Noting that a lot needs to be done to increase the learning outcome in classes, he said teacher should also be sensitive to their duties.

"We hold world record for teacher absentees... 25 per cent absentees in government school. That is unforgivable. There is no excuse to this," he said.