Choice-based credits FYUP over again in 3 years’ in DU

NEW DELHI: The spectre of the four-year undergraduate programme is back to haunt its detractors in Delhi University. Teachers are worried that the University Grants Commission's letter to vice-chancellors asking them to implement the Choice-Based Credit System from 2015-16—within about six months—will lead to another FYUP-like debacle, this time on a national scale.

"It's startling how quickly we forget," says Abha Dev-Habib, teacher-activist and Executive Council member, "The government is refusing to learn from mistakes."

In December, following MHRD's instructions, DU formed a committee to create a 'discussion paper' on introduction of CBCS. That's not ready yet. "They should put forth a proposal and invite feedback," says Dev-Habib. "UGC is assuming the semester system is working," she adds.

UGC has posted guidelines on CBCS. Teachers commenting online say that, with core, elective and foundation (compulsory and optional) courses, it's essentially "FYUP in three years". Teachers are wary a "buffet system" in higher education will mean constant fluctuation in workload and fewer permanent appointments—you can't predict what students will choose.

But the biggest objection to FYUP was the speed at which it was implemented. Everyone complained of structural problems (the infamous 'exits' that made curriculum-design a nightmare), no infrastructure and sub-par courses.

"The UGC cannot give such a diktat," states M Michael Aruldhas, president, Madras University Teachers' Association. "First the teachers should understand the concept—most of them have been awarding marks all these years—and then visit a few universities." Madras University already has both semesters and CBCS—introduced in stages. They started in the 1990s though the aided colleges switched over to CBCS a couple of years ago. "We first had semester, then choices and choice-based credits. Then the Tamil Nadu state council for higher education brought a template," says Aruldhas.

It may lead to massive upheaval at Calcutta University. It has 171 affiliated colleges—some in remote areas —and admits one lakh into its undergraduate programmes every year (DU admits 54,000). The semester system is there only in science-tech courses at postgraduate level. "The credit system will benefit students but we don't have the capacity to introduce it for undergrads," says vice-chancellor Suranjan Das, adding worriedly, "We have 3,00,000 undergraduate students, the student-teacher ratio is very poor and we need infrastructure and much more support from government."

"This will only help students who want to go abroad or join twinning programmes. Within India, we have to work with marks," continues Dev-Habib. "When there are so few seats, there is no choice. Schooling grades are converted to marks at time of admission. We even have negative marking to help us eliminate. What will you do—admit all candidates who've got an A?"