The implementation of the semester system in the Delhi University is part of a larger scheme of academic reforms mooted by the University Grants Commission in its 11th Plan proposal. The semester system goes beyond a time-format. It enlarges curricular space,encourages and supports accelerated learning opportunities for all concerned, says an action plan of the UGC on Academic and Administrative Reforms. Deepu Sebastian Edmond explores the issue: Why semester system?Cynics would retort,Because America has it. Unfortunately,their criticism does not hold water. One of the aims of implementing the system is the facilitation of student exchange programmes. Students who move from one university to the other domestic and foreign in the middle of a course should be able to carry their academic performance. At present,most Indian Universities follow an annual calendar and award marks to their students,which is incompatible with systems in the West. Adopting semester system and grading would help students move across continents with ease. In fact,the Delhi University is considering MoUs on student exchange with many foreign Universities. What about those who do not plan to study abroad?Student exchanges with foreign universities are not the only advantage of the semester system,because few Indian students can afford to study abroad. It is in this context that the possibilities of domestic student exchanges attain importance. At present,it may not be feasible for a Hyderabad Central University student to shift to the Delhi University,but the arrival of foreign universities in India under the proposed Bill could be an incentive for students to move within the country without much expense. Is semester a tougher system?Each student will have to study 24 papers in all,with the major subject contributing about 15 papers. The idea of choosing a minor subject from many options was proposed earlier but now seems to be done away with. Three papers will be of foundation courses - Basic Mathematics,English and Computer Skills. The process of continuous evaluation built into the semester system will have students on their toes. Instead of the annual exam at the end of the academic year,there will be two such exams,at the end of each semester. However,some consider it to be a flaw. DU,for instance,is planning to conduct its practical exams internally from next year due to lack of time. This is bound to introduce an amount of undesired subjectivity into the system and a teacher could end up having too much say in the academic performance of a student. What about the courses? Will they get tougher too?In theory,the semester system revolves around reading lists and libraries,as teachers are expected to introduce the topics in class and direct students to an exhaustive list of books to be read. Therefore,students will be expected to put in more effort. However,not many colleges have made any effort to update their libraries. A number of papers taught over an academic year now will be have to be taught in nearly half that time and more courses will be introduced. But this is not drastically new and looks as if existing papers have merely been split to make way for a new system. A few new papers,which have been introduced,have led to a cry about the dilution of the Honors course. What about exam results?This is one positive that students will have from the new system. The system will collapse if the results of each semester are not declared in time. DU,notorious for late results,will now have to declare results faster.
