Reduction in teachers’ workload & student credit among UG feedback – Times of India

DU had stipulated January 30 as the last date for responses to the curriculum framework, which proposes the implementation of a four-year undergraduate programme under the new National Education Policy. The undergraduate curriculum framework was published on January 21 for its perusal by the stakeholders on January 21.

While the number of credits required over four years (eight semester) is 176, for someone exiting after three years, the requirement has been put at 132, less than the 148 currently required for the three-year undergraduate programme. This framework facilitates multiple entry and exit for students such as a certificate for exit after a year of studies, a diploma after two years, a bachelor’s honours degree after three years and an honours degree with research over four years.

Balram Pani, DU dean of colleges, told TOI, “I am not sure of the exact number of responses that we have received, but many of those who gave us their feedback have raised concerns about teachers being affected by the reduced workloads and about the decrease in the credits required for a degree. However, they have not realised that the University Grants Commission notification actually makes 160 credits the requirement. The DU framework has kept the requirement at 176.”

A college principal, who had been part of the committee that considered DU implementing NEP, said 176 credits would be the final requirement. “The UGC norm is the minimum requirement, and it allows autonomy to the university to make some adjustments. As far as I know, 176 will be the final requirement at DU,” said the principal on condition of anonymity.

While the university intends to put in the new system into operation from the 1922-23 sessions, one of the biggest concerns of the teachers is that such a massive task of implementing a new curriculum and updating syllabi cannot be completed in the few months left for the stipulated academic session.

The questions about the reduced workload for the teachers revolve around many courses such as the compulsory ability enhancement courses like environmental studies whose credit requirement has been reduced to two from the existing four. The teachers have been demanding the absorption of ad-hoc teachers prior to the implementation of NEP.

Addressing teachers at Kamala Nehru College, vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh had said that NEP implementation would entail no job losses and the new curriculum was meant to foster holistic development of the students.