Maths not must for 1/3rd of engineering courses – Times of India

In its new guidelines for 2022-23, the AICTE also made chemistry in Class XII optional for studying computer science, electrical engineering and electronics engineering.

Maths has been made optional for 10 out of 29 diploma/UG courses. Instead students who studied any of 14 subjects, including computer science, electronics, information technology, biology, bio-technology, technical vocational subject, agriculture, engineering graphics, informatics practices, business studies and entrepreneurship, can now pursue engineering courses.

In its 2021-22 guidelines, the AICTE had made maths and physics optional for all engineering courses, drawing widespread criticism. This year it has sought to address the concerns by limiting the courses that don’t need maths, chemistry or physics.

“As per the National Education Policy 2020, the school education system is divided into 5+3+3+4. The last four years are not going to be arts, science and commerce streams. They will be studying a liberal arts type of stream where they can take maths, physics and psychology or chemistry and computer science. It will help students join any other new programme when they complete Class 12. This window of opportunity or programme is being allowed with proper bridge courses in the first two semesters,” AICTE chairman Anil D Sahasrabudhe told principals in an online meeting.

However, educationists slammed the move, saying conducting bridge courses will not help students understand basics and will result in producing poor quality engineers.

“Minimum foundational level physics, maths, chemistry is mandatory for BE, BTech courses. When AICTE says colleges need to conduct bridge courses, it indirectly accepts that these subjects are important for engineering,” said former vice-chancellor of Anna University E Balagurusamy.

However, some said the move would give flexibility. “It provides students, who have chosen different subjects in higher secondary, an opportunity to pursue professional degree programmes,” said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, vice-chancellor of Sastra.